'Babus', cops keen to become netas in Ahmedabad

This year’s assembly election is going to be an interesting time as the already thin line between the political and administrative wings of government is blurring. According to reliable reports, at least 10 bureaucrats have shown interest in contesting elections from the two leading political parties — the Congress and the BJP.

It remains to be seen who all are finally given tickets by the parties but the fact that serving officers are tendering their resignations is becoming the buzzword in political circles.

After principal secretary, Panchyat department RM Patel (an IAS officer who is rumoured to have resigned ahead of his retirement later this year), an IPS officer of 1993-batch and currently serving as additional commissioner of police (traffic and crime) at Surat, BD Vaghela, has also tendered his resignation. He too is believed to be keen to contest elections from a reserved seat on a BJP ticket.

Sources in the state home department confirmed that Vaghela had resigned. “He put in his papers a couple of days back and is being processed for approval on urgent basis so as to be accepted before the model code of conduct comes into force,” a source familiar with the development said.

However, Vaghela says he has no plans to contest elections. “I have no intention to join politics. I have put in my papers as I need time to marry off my kids. I have 7-8 months to go before I retire,” Vaghela told DNA over phone. 

BD Vaghlea is 1953-born and belongs to Dahod. He joined the Gujarat police as a Dy SP in 1978 and was promoted to the IPS cadre in 1993. He has served in various positions even in Ahmedabad city, including inspector general of police, Ahmedabad range.

Last week, Sachivalay was abuzz with news of Patel’s resignation. Though he refused to confirm the development, reliable sources said he is likely to contest from Asarva seat in Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has received at least five requests. The party’s Maldhari Cell’s president VV Rabari is trying hard for a ticket.

It should be noted that, in the past, IPS officer Jaspal Singh had contested the assembly elections from Vadodara and had also served as minister of civil supplies in the state government. Another bureaucrat, CJ Chavda, a GAS cadre officer, also won from an assembly seat.