TNR News Networks
Dharamshala: BJP MLA and former minister Bikram Thakur showcased a calculated political maneuver on Saturday during a press conference in response to Congress MLA RS Bali, who also serves as the Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC). Thakur strategically brought along BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma and former BJP MLA Arun Mehra, both of whom hold significant political ties to Bali.
Arun Mehra, a rival of Bali in Nagrota constituency, and Sudhir Sharma, a longstanding adversary of the Bali family, amplified the political optics of Thakur’s move. Their presence at the press conference sent ripples through state politics, with many interpreting it as a deliberate attempt by Thakur to corner Bali using figures from his own political backyard.
The backdrop to this political drama lies in the controversy surrounding the closure of HPTDC hotels, a hot-button issue in Himachal Pradesh politics. The BJP has been relentlessly questioning the Congress government’s motives behind shutting down these state-run hotels. During the recent two-year anniversary of the Congress government in Hamirpur, Thakur had publicly raised the matter, accusing the government of failing to address public concerns effectively.
In response, Bali had challenged Thakur to submit an affidavit proving that the government’s intentions were malicious and that it had misled the court regarding the hotel closures.
Addressing the press in Dharamshala, Thakur responded with a sharp rebuttal, turning the tables on Bali. “We are in the opposition, and it is our duty to raise public issues. There is a clear conflict of interest in RS Bali’s position as Chairman of HPTDC, as he himself owns hotels. Why would any hotelier want other hotels to succeed over their own?” Thakur questioned.
Challenging Bali further, Thakur demanded that the Congress MLA provide an affidavit on his own promises. “Before coming to power, Bali organized the Rozgar Yatra, making grand promises to unemployed youth. Now that he is in power, he must explain what he has done for them. Let him submit an affidavit on this,” Thakur said.
This calculated press conference, featuring Sudhir Sharma and Arun Mehra, has not only reignited the debate over the hotel closures but also added a new dimension to the political rivalry in Himachal Pradesh. Observers see this as a tactical move by Thakur to escalate pressure on Bali while aligning key political players in the BJP’s favor.
