Babus, politicians frustrate Akhilesh

I realise it is hard to make officials work

In the span of two months, Uttar Pradesh’s chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has realised that it is difficult to make bureaucrats do their job.

He asked his critics to “have patience” and give him some time.

The chief minister’s candid admission comes amidst mounting criticism against his government’s failure to control allegedly deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

“Although it has been only a few days since I assumed office, I realise that it is difficult to make politicians and bureaucrats do the job,” he said at a function here on Friday.

He asked people, especially his critics, to give him some time to set things right.

“We have made some promises and we will try to fulfill them though we may face difficulty,” he added.

Critics said chief minister's assertion indicates his ‘frustration’ over failure to ‘rein in’  party workers.

They have been terrorising people, especially Dalits, and breaking the law with impunity. Repeated warnings by Akhilesh have fallen on deaf ears, added critics.

“The chief minister has accepted his failure. He admitted to have failed to get officials to deliver,” said leader of opposition in the state Assembly Swami Prasad Maurya of BSP.

Maurya added that the SP has been known for promoting goondagiri (rule of the goons).
“The SP workers have let loose a reign of terror against Dalits in the villages. But police and administration have remained mute spectators,” he alleged.

The crime graph has risen during the past few days. Rapes and murders have been increasing in the state, critics said.

Akhilesh attributed criminal activities to the presence of officials loyal to BSP regime.
The state government, since assuming charge, has transferred over 1,000 officers.

SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has asked people to wait for at least six months before passing judgment over the performance of Akhilesh’s regime.