Amid Puja Khedkar Row, Congress Slams BJP Over UPSC Chairman's 'Premature' Resignation

UPSC chairman Manoj Soni resigned citing personal reasons, sparking questions from Congress about the timing and possible links to controversies surrounding the commission's selection process.

With the UPSC chairman Manoj Soni resigning citing personal reasons, the Congress on Saturday questioned if he was 'prematurely nudged out given the numerous controversies surrounding the selection process in Union Public Service Commission. Calling Soni the 'blue-eyed-gem' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress chief Malliakarjun Kharge asked why the UPSC chairman's resignation was kept secret for a month. 

Soni has resigned citing personal reasons before the expiry of his tenure in May 2029. His resignation is not in any way connected to controversies and allegations surrounding the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) after probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar's issue came to the fore, news agency ANI reported quoting government sources. 

Taking to X, Kharge alleged the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are systematically indulging in an institutional takeover of India's Constitutional bodies, "thereby damaging their reputation, integrity, and autonomy!"

"The multiple scandals that have plagued the UPSC are a cause of national concern. PM Modi and his Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions must come clean. Numerous cases of unqualified individuals faking caste and medical certificates seemed to have duped a 'foolproof' system. This is a direct affront to the genuine aspirations of lakhs of aspirants, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS candidates who work hard, burning midnight oil in preparing for the Civil Services Examinations," the Congress chief said.

He further said that it is disconcerting how the UPSC Chairperson has resigned prematurely, five years before his term ends. 

"Why was his resignation kept secret for a month? Is there any connection between the numerous scandals and the resignation? This 'blue-eyed-gem' of Modi ji was brought in from Gujarat and promoted to being the Chairperson of UPSC," Kharge said.

"Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji had referred to the civil servants as the 'Steel frame of India', but Modi Govt's desperate attempt to control every aspect of governance has punched holes in the same! This needs to be thoroughly investigated at the highest level so that such cases of fraudulent malpractices in UPSC admissions don’t happen in the future," he added. 

Earlier, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also raised questions on the UPSC chairman's resignation and said the sanctity and autonomy of all Constitutional bodies have been badly damaged since 2014 -- the year Narendra Modi became prime minister. 

Ramesh said the sanctity, character, autonomy, and professionalism of all Constitutional bodies have been badly damaged since 2014. But at times even the self-anointed non-biological PM is forced to say enough is enough.   

"Mr. Modi brought in one of his favourite 'academics' from Gujarat as a UPSC member in 2017 and made him Chairman in 2023 with a six year term. But this so-called distinguished gentleman has now resigned five years before the expiry of his term. Whatever the reasons that may be given, it appears clear that he had to be nudged out given the current controversy in which the UPSC is involved. Many more such characters have populated the system. Why is the Chairman of the NTA untouched so far, for example [sic]" he posted on X. 

The UPSC chairman had tendered his resignation citing personal reasons over a fortnight back. It is yet to be accepted, a source said. Eminent educationist Soni, 59, took over as a member of the Commission on June 28, 2017. He took oath as the UPSC chairman on May 16, 2023, and his term was to end on May 15, 2029.

Quoting sources PTI reported that Soni was not keen on becoming the UPSC chairman and had requested to be relieved. However, his request was not accepted then. Soni has now desired to devote more time to socio-religious activities, sources said.

Recently, the selection process of UPSC has been marred in controversies surrounding IAS trainee Puja Khedkar's candidature. The development assumes significance as the UPSC on Friday said it has lodged a criminal case against Khedkar for faking her identity to fraudulently avail attempts in the civil services examination beyond eligibility, and taken steps to debar her from future selections.