No ifs and buts: Chirag Paswan opposes lateral entry in UPSC, demands quota

New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan has voiced strong opposition to the recent move for lateral entry into the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), aligning himself with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s concerns. Paswan, who leads the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is the first National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partner to publicly criticize the decision, arguing that it excludes disadvantaged communities by not including reservation provisions.

Demand for reservation

Paswan made it clear that his party is unequivocally against any government appointments without reservation. "There are no ifs and buts in this. Reservation provisions must be there in any government appointment. The lack of reservation in the private sector is already a concern, and now if it is not implemented in government positions as well, it’s a serious issue," Paswan told the Press Trust of India. He also indicated his intention to raise this matter with the central government, leveraging his position within the NDA.

Controversial lateral entry move

The controversy stems from the UPSC's recent advertisement for filling 45 positions—10 joint secretaries and 35 directors/deputy secretaries—through lateral entry on a contractual basis. This move has been heavily criticized by the Congress, which sees it as a strategy to deprive underprivileged classes of their rightful opportunities. The party has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using this tactic to place its ideological allies in key government positions, bypassing the traditional merit-based and quota-inclusive system.

Political backlash

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP of attempting to "snatch the rights" of Dalits, tribals, and backward classes by sidestepping reservation norms through lateral entry. "This is BJP's 'Chakravyuh' to change the Constitution by snatching reservation," Kharge said, alleging that the posts reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates will now be given to members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP's ideological parent organization.

Government’s response

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw dismissed the Congress’s criticism as "hypocrisy," pointing out that the concept of lateral entry was originally developed by the UPA government. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Vaishnaw argued that the Congress’s objections are inconsistent, given its previous support for similar recruitment strategies.