Lucknow: From west to east UP, tensions between elected representatives and bureaucrats are intensifying. Ministers and MLAs have increasingly accused officials of arbitrary behavior and inaction on matters concerning the public. Observers believe that if such disputes remain unresolved, they may pose a serious challenge for the ruling BJP government in the state.
Over the past two months alone, four separate incidents have highlighted growing frustration among BJP legislators. In Banda, MLA Prakash Chandra Dwivedi confronted an SDM over the demolition of a cooperative society building, warning the officer in stern language that such “high-handedness” would not be tolerated. In Deoria, MLA Deepak Mishra walked out of a district meeting after a verbal spat with the DM, alleging that officials ignored elected representatives.
In Aligarh, MLA Mukta Raja wrote to the Chief Minister accusing the CMO of ignoring private hospital rackets operating through touts outside government hospitals. In Bulandshahr, MLA Thakur Laxmiraj Singh accused power department officials of not even answering phone calls despite severe electricity issues in his constituency. These are not isolated episodes. In Ghaziabad, MLA Nandkishor Gurjar has repeatedly accused the administration of corruption, even calling it the “most corrupt government” in the state’s history. A more recent clash between Industries Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh reached Delhi, with Nandi alleging delays and obstruction in departmental work. Even senior leaders like former minister Srikant Sharma have expressed displeasure.
He blamed administrative inertia for the chaotic traffic conditions in Vrindavan, saying that not a single constable was present at key intersections during peak hours.
Political analysts point out that these disputes are not new. During the first term of the Yogi led government, a large group of BJP MLAs staged a protest inside the assembly, accusing the administration of ignoring their concerns. At that time, the opposition had even claimed the government was in a minority.
Speaker Satish Mahana has repeatedly warned officials in the House that they must respect legislators, respond to their calls, and act on legitimate grievances. He had also directed the parliamentary affairs minister to ensure corrective action. Despite this, several government orders mandating regular communication between officers and MLAs are often ignored.
Former Chief Secretary R.K. Tiwari maintains that resolving such conflicts is not complicated, provided there is effective dialogue. He believes that officers must understand the representative nature of MLAs and respond to them as per protocol. Former Speaker Hriday Narayan Dixit, citing the vision of Constitution framers, noted that administrative services and governments must work in harmony to serve the public.
Yet, with governance gaps widening, continued friction between the bureaucracy and BJP legislators is beginning to reflect poorly on the state’s administration.
