Election of Class IV Union President Declared Unconstitutional and Illegal: Ashok Kumar (Former President)

Election of Class IV Union President Declared Unconstitutional and Illegal: Ashok Kumar (Former President)

Chandigarh 14 March ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Senior Vice President (Shri Gurpreet Singh), Vice President (Shri Shyam Shankar), Publicity Secretary (Shri Ram Sundar), Executive Member (Shri Parsotam), former President (Shri Ashok Kumar), and all members of the "Class IV Employees Union, Education Department" strongly criticize and condemn the proceedings of the Union meeting held, within the premises of the Valmiki Temple.

The process by which the President, Annu Kumar,—amidst a select few members present at the Valmiki Temple premises—declared himself unanimously re-elected as President has been declared unconstitutional and illegal by the Executive Members.

The 32- member Executive Body of the Class IV Union has termed the meeting—convened by President Annu Kumar in collusion with a few favored members, and held without any prior agenda or notice—as illegitimate and unilateral.

Ashok Kumar—the founder, current advisor, and former President of the Class IV Union—stated that, in accordance with Article 13 of the Union's Constitution, the election process is conducted through constitutional means every two years. Furthermore, prior notice of this election—including the agenda—must be submitted to the Education Department and the Office of the Labour Commissioner approximately one month in advance. Following the submission of the agenda and notice, nominations for the post of President are invited; candidates then conduct their election campaigns, and a specific date is designated for the withdrawal of nominations. If there is more than one candidate contesting for the post of President, an election date is scheduled. Notice of this date is sent to the Education Department and the Office of the Labour Commissioner, and a request is also submitted to the Office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner to depute a representative to oversee the election proceedings.

According to the Union's Constitution, an election can be conducted unanimously *only* in the specific scenario where all but one candidate withdraw their nominations. — Rakesh Kumar, Vice President, stated that during the election held yesterday at the Valmiki Temple—which was supposed to be conducted unanimously—certain mischievous elements violated constitutional norms and attempted to misuse the union for their own personal gain. Gurpreet Singh, Senior Vice President, explained that according to the Trade Unions Act and the Union's Constitution, a unanimous decision can only be reached with the support of a three-fourths majority of the total membership—a requirement that was blatantly violated yesterday.

The Executive Body characterized the meeting held yesterday—in which only a select few members and favorites were deceitfully invited to carry out the process of re-electing a President—as a conspiracy. They further declared it a failed attempt by self-styled leaders to hijack the union through dictatorial means. Former President Ashok Kumar announced that a meeting of all union members would be convened shortly; during this meeting, the aforementioned dictatorial process will be declared null and void, and formal intimation regarding this decision will be sent to the Director of Education. Ultimately, the Executive Body resolved that no member shall work under the authority of this "bogus" President. The meeting was attended by the union's key office bearers, including the Advisor, Senior Vice President, Vice President, Publicity Secretary, and members of the Executive Committee.