In the electoral battle of Uttarakhand different political parties are busy in the various permutation and combinations of caste, community and regional issues so that they reap rich electoral dividends in the ensuing lok Sabha elections. But it is in an open fact that no party would dare to antagonise the all powerful ‘teaching community’ in the State.
The Education department is the biggest employer in the State Government as more than 1.20 lakh employees are part of this gigantic department. In the Education department there are about 75,000 teachers in the primary, middle and secondary schools of the State. All the political parties are fully aware that the teachers are posted in every village of the State and are still respected and heeded by rural folks. Apart from their big numbers, the teachers are also powerful opinion makers as they are politically more aware and active than other government employees.
All the political parties are aware of their strength and the sway they exercise in their areas of postings. The leaders of these political parties always try to keep them in good humour and are constantly in touch with the leaders of the various organizations of teachers. The conventions of these organisations are attended by top leaders of all political parties. Former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna experienced the clout of teachers in a hard way when his son Saket Bahuguna lost the Tehri lok Sabha bypolls in 2012. The seat was vacated by Vijay Bahuguna but the issues of cooking gas and the antipathy of Government employees ensured defeat of his son. One of a prominent leader of an organization of primary teachers told this correspondent that the government employees belonging to the non reserved castes were furious over the issue of reservation in promotions and worked against then CM’s son in the bypolls. He said that the teachers in particular were more active in ensuring the defeat of Saket Bahuguna.
This time, however, there is no immediate issue which can provoke this volatile and most powerful section of employees. The president of Primary teachers Association PS Gusain said that association is not raising any political issue; he added that the teachers are free to exercise their political opinion.
Vice president of Rajkeeya Shikshak Sangh, Mukesh Bahuguna said teachers are a potent force in State politics as they help in making public opinion. The haste in which the Harish Rawat Government cleared the increase in 10 per cent DA of State Government employees highlighted the government’s intention to win over the employees. Interestingly, the orders for increase in DA came after the model code of conduct was enforced in the State. Interestingly, no Opposition party raised issue of breach of conduct as it would have invited ire of employees against them.