... After Independence, eminent persons were made governors. Mrs. Gandhi's nominees were either those who had served her well or those who she thought would be useful against state governments. For her, eminence was not an issue. But after her time, the office came to be depoliticised.

The Vajpayee government has violated this practise as well. It has brought in its own men, even from the RSS, to occupy a position which is crucial at the time of ministry-making ... A person. defeated at the Lok Sabha polls, has been posted to UP ..

Apart from raj Bhavans, it is filling government offices with employees with BJP leanings. It is a sort of infiltration. Even the sanctity of tenure of a post is being violated, keeping in view the party's interest. In fact, the tenure has no meaning if the appointees are expected to quit with a change of government. India looks set to have a long string of coalition governments. The tenure system becomes a necessity for the sake of continuity in the administration.

Prime Minister Vajpayee has introduced yet another practice: administering the oath to persons whom he gives Cabinet status ... Giving Cabinet status to defeated candidates is blatantly wrong. Anointing them conveyed a message: we will do whatever we like, without caring for legal or moral sanction.                                  (Source: The Indian Express, 28 April, 1998)