Upendra Kushwaha's strongly worded resignation letter: Full text
Written By
DNA Web Team
| Updated: Dec 10, 2018, 07:35 PM IST
The RLSP chief's resignation had been weeks in the making. (File picture)
Kushwaha accused PM Modi among other things of breaking Bihar-specific poll promises.
RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha on Monday resigned from the Union Cabinet. His exit from the ruling NDA has been weeks in the making over his dissatisfaction over the seat sharing formula in Bihar for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Kushwaha wrote a strongly worded resignation letter to PM Narendra Modi.
Here is the full text of the letter:
Dear Prime Minister,
Subject: Resignation from the Council of Ministers
Nearly five years ago, I joined the National Democratic Alliance, under your leadership, with high hope & expectations. During the National General Election of 2014, you made several commitments to the people of Bihar .d to the Nation at large. It was in this context that I had extended my unconditional support to the BJP.
As a Prime Minster, it was my sincere anticipation that you would work in the interest of Bihar and full fill (sic) the promises you made to the poor and fanners and give India a transparent and accountable government. The people if Bihar showed their magnanimity and bestowed upon you unimaginable faith and trust by giving the NDA, 31 out of 40 Lok Sabha seats.
But having served in your Council of Ministers for the last 55 months, I stand dejected and betrayed by your leadership. There has been a fundamental conflict in what you have promised to the people before elections and what you have actually delivered after coming to the power.
During the 2014 and 2015 election campaigns you promised to restart Bihar's sugar mills, provide special package for Bihar, provide employment to our youth, alleviate the distress of our farmers and several other promises. The fact of the matter is that under your leadership grave and unprecedented injustice has been committed upon Bihar, I say this with sense of deep regret and sorrow.
Moreover, few issues like, caste census has not been published. The policy of bifurcation of OBC category has not been submitted by the committee headed by Justice G. Rohini. It clearly indicate that government is not serious, hence there is a fear & confusion amongst the OBC category. The issue of roaster (sic) for the appointments of university teachers has led to a confusion and has stalled the appointment processes.
The promise of providing Bihar with a special package has been the biggest jumla. The Government of India has inflicted immense suffering on the farmers of Bihar by refusing to procure their paddy. Under the BJP-JDU government in the state, law and order and rule of law has withered away. Moreover, education system in the state has collapsed, my party brought all issues to the notice of the state government from time to time through various programmes. Government has failed to create health infrastructure in the state, hence people of Bihar have to travel to other states to get proper medical treatment which is very expensive. Moreover, state government has also failed to stop communal violence which he led to trust deficit in the society. Despite numerous promises, lands to construct schools and hospitals have also not been allocated.
It is not just your attitude towards Bihar which has pained me a lot but your opaque style of functioning and non democratic leadership style has left me disappointed and dismayed. You have systemically dismantled the functioning of the cabinet of the government that is mandated in our constitution. The Union Cabinet has been reduced to a mere rubber stamp, simply endorsing your decision without any deliberation. Ministers and officers posted in ministries have become figureheads as virtually all decisions are taken by you, your office and the BJP President. (Which is anti-constitutional)
Since 2015 Assembly election, an environment of distrust has been created by the BJP by not upholding a commitments made to the RLSP. Even the number of seats has been reduced which was allotted to my party in begin (sic). BJP has also betrayed us during several by-elections held in the state. Moreover, NDA lost the Bihar Assembly election 2015 because of the statement made by the RSS chief on reservation policy. The biggest humiliation was done by Shri Nitish Kumar in the presence of Shri Sushil Modi by using a word (Nich) for me. The way BJP state unit supported Shri Nitish Kumar on the above statement which has led to unhappiness in the masses.
It is unfortunate that priority of the government is not to work for the poor and the oppressed but to fix political opponents by hook or by crook. Investigating agencies are being remote controlled by your office and the BJP President with the sole purpose of harassing leaders with contrarian views. Constitutional offices are being undermined and virtually every institution in the government has been subjected to political appropriation.
The Government has been toeing the agenda of RSS which is anti-constitutional and neglecting & subverting the agenda of social justice enshrined in the Constitution for which we have supported NDA.
For the reasons mentioned above it has now become untenable for me to continue in your Council. My conscience doesn't permit me to be a part of a government that has failed to fulfil its promises and betrayed the aspirations or our founding fathers of the constitution.
Please accept my resignation and I request. you to relieve me with immediate effect
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely
(signed)
Upendra Kushwaha