Himachal LoP Thakur accuses Congress govt of 'vendetta politics'

Shimla, Aug 1 (AHN) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Himachal Pradesh and State BJP President, Jai Ram Thakur, on Saturday criticised the Congress-led state government, alleging Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu-led administration in the past four years has replaced governance with a culture of political vendetta, abuse of power and administrative intimidation.

He said that Himachal Pradesh, known as 'Dev Bhoomi' for its peaceful traditions and democratic values, is now witnessing an unprecedented misuse of state machinery to target political opponents.

Former Chief Minister Thakur told the media here that instead of focusing on development, employment and public welfare the state government has concentrated on shutting down public institutions, halting development works and intimidating those who question its functioning.

As public resentment against the state government has grown and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received overwhelming support in Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections, the Himachal Pradesh government has intensified its campaign of targeting BJP leaders and elected representatives through criminal cases and administrative action.

LoP Jai Ram Thakur alleged that senior BJP leaders, including State BJP President Rajeev Bindal, legislators Sudhir Sharma, Hoshiar Singh and Ashish Sharma, former Minister Sukhram Chaudhary and several other party functionaries have been subjected to first information reports (FIRs), investigations or administrative harassment.

According to the LoP, even leaders who left the Congress and joined the BJP along with their family members and aides are being targeted as part of a "politically motivated campaign".

The BJP leader also alleged that party's Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Pradhans, Municipal Councillors and other elected representatives who secured victories in recent local body elections are also being served notices and subjected to unnecessary inquiries merely because they defeated Congress candidates.

LoP Thakur said the state government's priorities have become completely distorted.

While incidents relating to law and order, violent crime and crimes against women demand urgent attention, the state machinery is allegedly being used to prepare cases against political opponents instead of addressing the concerns of ordinary citizens.

Referring to the recent controversy involving the Harmony of Pines orchestra of the state police, LoP Thakur said that serious allegations raised by women police personnel deserve a fair and impartial investigation.

He questioned why prompt action had not been taken despite complaints, saying that such incidents raise serious concerns about the state government's commitment to protecting women employees.

He also expressed concern over allegations of phone tapping and surveillance, saying that if elected representatives or Opposition leaders are being unlawfully monitored, it would amount to a grave assault on democratic freedoms.

He demanded that any such allegations be independently investigated.