'Babus' on oust-Maya mission

The image of a bureaucrat cleaning Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s shoes haunts babus of the state. There is a general feeling of disgust among a section of the state’s public servants, who feel that their chief minister deliberately humiliates them and no amount of good work can appease her.

During her last tenure too, Maya was dismissive of them except for those close to her, some officials believe. Allegedly humiliated and harassed by Mayawati and her team, a section of the bureaucracy in Uttar Pradesh is believed to be slowly and silently working against Mayawati to oust her from power. Her alleged offensive language, punishment postings involving mostly the upper caste officials, constant transfers, overlooking hierarchy to promote officials of her caste and allowing members of her community to dominate has created much ripples in the fraternity of public servants.

For the babus in UP, anyone but Mayawati will do. A lot of them found working under Mulayam Singh easier as he was more respectful in dealing with them, especially the IAS and IPS officers.

“There are many reasons for the officials to be upset with the whimsical Maya. People were often seen bypassing babus and getting things done directly from Mayawati’s office as many had direct access to her and her ministers,” said Mukund Mehrotra, a social worker based in Jhansi.

“Public servants have a larger mass base as they have day- to-day interaction with the people. They would not like to be insulted before the masses. There is a way of dealing with them. You can be demanding, firm but not abusive and disrespectful,” said a senior official.

One recent example was the case of Jhansi DM Rajshekhar who was at the receiving end of Behanji’s ire in February 2011 for a supposed delay in digging of a well. “Aye DM, kya naam hai tera? Kabse posted hai yahan? Ye kuan kyun nahi bana’’ [Hey DM, what is your name? Since when have you been posted here? Why isn’t this well ready?],” is how Mayawati, reportedly, spoke to Rajshekhar, according to an eyewitness.

It is learnt that the official politely explained that the villagers were protesting land acquisition and he was working out a way as he couldn’t force acquisition. But Mayawati was in no mood to listen. After the public humiliation came action and Rajshekhar was asked to go on leave.

“The poor officer was not even allowed to clarify his position as Mayawati kept on shouting at him. Mayawati just did not listen to his logic. This is the last thing the DM, who is the top boss of the district administration, would like to hear from the political leadership,” said the witness.

What followed the transfer was a massive protest and shut-down as Rajshekhar was a popular officer. “He used to go out of his way to help people. He had a vision,” said Sanjay Patwari, who led the agitation and sent letters written with blood to shake Mayawati’s conscience. Fearing violence, Maya reinstated him, but in another district.

There is also anger against the junior officials of Mayawati’s community who are said to be ruling the roost. So while Behenji spills venom on DMs and division commissioners (DCs), officials from her community feel emboldened.

There are several instances of humiliation and disrespectful behaviour as “tera”, “tu” is the usual way Mayawati talks to her officials. Many of them even have to take off their shoes before meeting her, it is said.

“History shows all those who have disrespected babus have failed to win elections. Lalu Prasad Yadav has been one example and Mayawati herself has suffered earlier. This time again if she fails to make it to Lucknow, probably she will mend her ways of dealing with  public servants,” said an official.