Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia, who have been fighting wrestling till now, will now fight the political arena. Both of them joined the Congress today. Vinesh Phogat and Bajrang Punia had met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi just two days ago.
It is believed that Vinesh and Bajrang may contest the Haryana assembly elections. There is speculation that Vinesh may get a ticket from Dadri seat, while Bajrang may be fielded from a Jat dominated seat.
However, before entering politics, Vinesh Phogat left her job in the railways. Vinesh was on the post of OSD in the railways. Announcing her resignation, Vinesh wrote on X, ‘Serving the railways has been a memorable and proud time of my life. I will always be grateful to the railway family.’
But the question arises that why did Vinesh Phogat leave her job in the railways before joining the Congress? After all, what is the rule that prohibits government employees from contesting elections?
What are the rules?
Government officers or employees are barred not only from contesting elections but also from engaging in any kind of political activity.
Central government officers and employees are barred from contesting elections under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. This provision has been made in Rule 5 of this. Under this:-
– No civil servant shall be a part of any political party or organisation, or be connected with politics, or be associated in any way with any political movement or activity.
– It is the responsibility of every government employee that he will not allow his family member or members to participate in any political movement or activity. If this still happens then the government employee will have to inform the government about this.
– No Government employee shall campaign for or use his influence on behalf of any political person.
What are the rules for state government employees?
Just as central government officers and employees are prohibited from contesting elections or engaging in political activities, the same rule applies to state government employees and officers.
State government officers or employees cannot contest elections or participate in any political activity. Every state has different civil rules for this.
No government employee can participate in any political rally. If he is assigned duty in any political rally, he can neither give a speech there, nor raise slogans, nor carry the party flag.
At the same time, Haryana Civil Service Conduct Rules 2016 prohibits state government employees from participating in any political activity and contesting elections.
Then what is the way?
It is clear that no government officer or employee can contest elections while holding a post. He can contest elections only if he has either resigned from the post or retired.
However, sometimes the courts allow contesting elections while still in office. Last year, the Rajasthan High Court allowed a government doctor named Deepak Ghoghra to contest the assembly elections. The High Court had said that if Deepak loses the election, he can join duty again. Deepak had contested the election from Dungarpur seat on the ticket of Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), in which he lost.
A few years ago, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court. It was demanded that a government officer or employee should not be allowed to contest elections immediately after retirement or resignation. There should be some gap between retirement or resignation and contesting elections. The Supreme Court had rejected this petition.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)