House of Lords or Political Mirage? Sukhu’s Claim Faces BJP Pushback

House of Lords or Political Mirage? Sukhu’s Claim Faces BJP Pushback

S Gopal Puri

Shimla: A press release from the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office has sparked debate after it claimed that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addressed the House of Lords in London, becoming the first Indian Chief Minister to do so.

The statement, widely circulated on Friday, said that Sukhu delivered a keynote address at a summit organised by the Indo-European Business Forum (IEBF) within the House of Lords premises. According to the release, he invited global investors to explore opportunities in Himachal Pradesh in clean energy, horticulture, tourism, IT, and healthcare. The CM’s Office also claimed he was honoured with a “Leadership and Governance Award” for his vision.

However, the claim has now been questioned by BJP leader and former minister Sudhir Sharma. Taking to Facebook, Sharma shared the Chief Minister’s press statement and wrote that no such address took place in the House of Lords. His post has added political fuel to the matter, as it comes amid heightened scrutiny of the government’s international engagements.

The House of Lords is the upper chamber of the UK Parliament, made up of life peers, bishops, and a limited number of hereditary peers. While it does not initiate legislation like the House of Commons, it plays an important role in reviewing and debating laws. It is also occasionally used as a venue for forums and events hosted by outside organisations such as IEBF.

The crucial question now is whether Sukhu’s remarks were part of an official parliamentary proceeding, or whether he spoke at a private forum hosted inside the parliamentary estate. As of now, no independent confirmation has emerged from UK parliamentary records or authoritative sources.

Until clarity is established, the controversy reflects how international appearances by state leaders can quickly turn into political flashpoints back home—especially when questions of protocol, prestige, and truthfulness are involved.

S Gopal Puri

S Gopal Puri

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