In a sharp attack on the ruling Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of indulging in political revenge instead of focusing on the state's development.
Allegations of Political Vendetta and Police Misuse
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur alleged that CM Sukhu is specifically targeting former Congress and independent MLAs who withdrew their support to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He claimed these leaders are being harassed through repeated police summons and the filing of false cases. Thakur warned that such actions, while temporarily unsettling for the BJP legislators, are neither ethically correct nor sustainable in the long run.
The senior BJP leader cited multiple instances to back his allegations. He pointed to the case of Hamirpur BJP MLA Ashish Sharma, where he alleged the police themselves acted as complainants in mining-related cases, completely bypassing the standard procedures of the concerned department.
Thakur also named several other BJP leaders and their families who he claimed are facing political targeting. The list included Sudhir Sharma, Rajinder Rana, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, Ravi Thakur, and the state BJP president Dr. Rajeev Bindal. He criticised what he called a blatant misuse of government machinery, where cases are filed without proper justification and followed by unnecessary, prolonged questioning.
Questions Raised Over Kangra Carnival Fund Collection
Moving beyond allegations of vendetta, Thakur also raised serious concerns over the state government's approach to funding the upcoming Kangra Carnival. He questioned the legitimacy of a government letter that is seeking donations for the event.
Thakur highlighted the absence of an official bank account or provisions for tax exemption for these donations. He cautioned that using official channels to collect money in this manner mirrors past controversial practices of fake bill generation and coercion. This, he implied, opens the door for potential financial irregularities.
A Call to Uphold Himachal's Political Culture
Concluding his criticism, Jai Ram Thakur urged the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government to immediately abandon its path of vengeance-driven actions. He stated that such a approach is fundamentally at odds with the long-standing political culture of Himachal Pradesh, which is known for its dignity and fair play.
Thakur emphasized that the people of the state expect fair and development-oriented governance, not political witch-hunts. He framed the current government's actions as a letdown for the citizens who voted for progress and stability.
