Lok Sabha elections: Congress alleges BJP Betul candidate yet to resign as govt teacher

BHOPAL: The state Congress party has objected to the BJP’s Betul candidate Durgadas Uike continuation as a government schoolteacher after being named by the party for Lok Sabha elections . Uike, a teacher has not even officially joined the BJP, but is an active member of the RSS, alleged Congress leaders.

“Betul Congress committee has raised the issue of Uike serving as a teacher in government school after being named official BJP candidate on Saturday.

This is in violation of service rules and we have sought a detailed inquiry from the district collector and election commission," Congress candidate Ramu Tekam told TOI.

“Uike, a resident of Amla in Betul district , is serving as a teacher since last 37 years. He is also active with the local Gayatri Parivar and RSS but, not yet officially joined BJP, said Tekam.

As per reports, Uike is posted in Bagholi High School in Betul district and he has been assigned with election work, but he has allegedly not turned up for staff training work.

District education officer Lakhan Lal Sunariya told reporters, “I am not aware of Uike joining any political party and am not even officially aware about his nomination as a Lok Sabha candidate. I was waiting for him to join the poll work assigned to him.”

Uike denied have done anything wrong. “I submitted my resignation with a deposit of one-month salary in advance to the district authorities. I have also informed them about my new work, but the officials under the Congress ruled government seem to be playing foul. My resignation should have been accepted last month,” Uike told reporters on the controversy.

He, however, parried queries over his joining the BJP. After Congress complain into the matter the election commission is investigating the matter, said sources. When contacted, Uike did not reply to the TOI phone calls and SMSes on his mobile phone.