Retired IAS officer Hukam Singh Rana on Monday joined the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) at a party workers meeting held in Haryana’s Mewat district, triggered the possibility of other IAS or IPS officials in Haryana joining it sooner or later.
The 1988 batch IAS officer, who had worked at State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA), Haryana, joined AAP in the presence of party’s senior leader Yogendra Yadav. The former IAS officer who is based in Faridabad has decided to jump onto the political bandwagon on expiry of his term as chairman SPCA. Rana told The Pioneer that it was not a sudden decision as he had thought on this for a long time.
“There are several things which can’t be done working in the government. Moreover, certain things based on my intellectual beliefs correlates with the ideology of AAP”, said Rana.
When asked, about other serving IAS or IPS officers or retired officials joining the party, he said several of them have shown interest in joining the party.
Recently, Haryana IPS officer, Ranbir Sharma and IAS officer, Abhe Singh Yadav sought voluntary retirement from the service (VRS) to enter electoral field. State government has given permission to former DG transport Abhe Singh Yadav to get relieved.
According to sources, Yadav, who comes from Narnaul, has decided to contest the 2014 assembly elections from a seat in southern Haryana. The 2001-batch IAS officer was otherwise scheduled to retire in March 2015.
Similarly 1990-batch Haryana IPS officer Ranbir Sharma, son-in-law of former BJP MP from Karnal, ID Swami had also given a prior notice to quit the service under VRS.
Though Sharma, who is otherwise scheduled to retire in November 2015, has cited personal reasons for seeking voluntary retirement, sources said that the IPS officer is seriously considering taking a political plunge. It is expected that Sharma, who hails from Hisar, may contest the assembly or lok Sabha elections in 2014.
When contacted Rajeev Godara, chief spokesperson AAP, Haryana, said joining was is ongoing process in the party.
“Our party leader Arvind Kejriwal has openly announced that whosoever is honest and wants to work for his country, is welcome to join our party”, said Godara.
He claimed that a large number of people not only from administrative background but from other fields are approaching AAP and taking membership.
Senior IAS officer in Haryana government and whistle blower Ashok Khemka is facing three vigilance inquiries and was chargsheeted for 'administrative misconduct' after he cancelled the mutation of a land deal involving Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law, Robert Vadra, and realty giant DlF. Godara said the party would appreciate if such an honest person joins AAP. “It will certainly give a huge boost to our party”, said Godara.
Khemka has been transferred 44 times in 22 years of service, in his fight against corruption.