It's a matter of huge embarrassment for Rajasthan Government when reports of heated arguments and scuffle between two ministers of Vasundhra Raje Government became viral in political corridors and on social media on Friday.
The shocking incident involved minister of state for education Vasudev Devnani and minister of state for health Banshidhar Bajiya over the issue of transfers of teachers. The two were reportedly summoned to at the party office after the incident happened at Devnani's official residence at Jaipur.
However, both the ministers are denying the reports of arguments. According to sources minister of state for health was annoyed over transfers of teachers done by education department in his constituency. Bajiya wanted to know how transfers were done without his permission and he was emphasizing on transferring some teachers of his constituency which Devnani denied.
The two soon entangled into heated arguments and which turned violent and Devnani was allegedly slapped by Bajwa who was upset by the fact that vacant post were filled without taking him in confidence. He was also angry on the transfers made on the recommendations of District BJP president.
Messages about this incidence were viral on Social media and senior BJP leaders took serious note on the incident. Anand Sharma media cell in charge of BJP in Rajasthan confirmed that both had argument but denied the report of one minister slapped the other. Both were summoned at BJP office yesterday and and met BJP state in charge Avinash Rai Khanna . Devnani & Bajiya are denying of any scuffle between them.
"I went to meet Devnani for some transfers but there was no scuffle as such," said Banshidhar Bajiya. On the other side, Devnani is accepting the fact that Bajiya was putting unnecessary pressure.
"187 transfers were already done on the basis of recommendations made by Bajiya, in spite of that I was being pressurized. We have to accommodate the demands of all public representatives. I have updated the matter to CM Vasundhra Raje " said state minister of education Vasudev Devnani. Congress got a chance to attack BJP over the incident.
"It is unfortunate and it shows the extent of corruption in the transfer of teachers and to what extent the ministers can go for their interest and not bothered about public interest," said Archana Sharma Congress spokesperson in Rajasthan.
The transfers of teachers in Rajasthan has been a sensitive issue with allegations of political interference and corruption regardless of which Government is in power and it is more rampant in education department which is the biggest department.
Recently more the 12000 elementary school teachers were transferred across the state. Just a few days ago Uttrakhand CM Trivendra Singh Rawat had run into a controversy over his behaviour with a teacher seeking a transfer in Janta darbaar but now two ministers in Rajasthan arguing and fighting openly. The transfer issue seems to be haunting BJP.