BJP leader launches frontal attack on Dharampur MLA over Swakar MPHW/Nursing College, election affidavit and alleged misuse of office
Munish Sood
Mandi: BJP Himachal Pradesh executive committee member and former Dharampur Assembly candidate Rajat Thakur on Thursday launched a fresh political offensive against Congress MLA Chander Shekhar, alleging misuse of public office, financial irregularities, concealment of information and violations of rules in the operation of a private health-training and nursing institution in Sarkaghat.
At a press conference in Mandi, Thakur used an unusual metaphor to frame his allegations, saying, “I have found Chander Shekhar’s 11-year-old son and revealed his father’s name to the public.” He clarified that his reference was to the Swakar College of Multi-Purpose Health Worker (MPHW)/Swakar College of Nursing at Laka Paplog in Sarkaghat, and questioned the ownership, management and financial interests allegedly associated with the institution.
Thakur presented documents relating to the institution and the Pahari Rajya Lok Seva Samiti, claiming that the records establish a connection between the organisation and Chander Shekhar. He alleged that the MLA is the chairman of the society and questioned how an elected public representative could simultaneously hold such a position in a private educational institution.
Alleged misuse of office in obtaining institution
Thakur alleged that prescribed conditions and procedures were not properly followed while the institution was being established and that the MLA’s position was allegedly used to influence the official process.
He specifically questioned compliance with requirements relating to land, approvals and other mandatory conditions. According to Thakur, the competent authorities should examine the original applications, approvals, land records, correspondence, management documents and other records before deciding whether the institution meets the applicable norms.
He demanded a high-level factual inquiry by the Health Department and the state government and said that if violations are established, action should be taken under the applicable rules, including cancellation of recognition wherever legally warranted.
‘First year mansion, second year company, third year illegal mining’
Thakur also presented what he described as a chronology of developments during Chander Shekhar’s tenure as MLA.
“In the first year, a lavish mansion; in the second year, a company; in the third year, illegal mining; and now a suspicious institution — this has become the identity of the Dharampur MLA,” he alleged.
He further accused the MLA of involvement in illegal tree felling and illegal mining and referred to him as a “wood thief” during the press conference.
Thakur alleged that the MLA had shifted attention away from the constituency’s development and towards personal and family interests. He raised questions over roads, healthcare, education and transport facilities in Dharampur and alleged that people continued to face basic infrastructure problems.
Financial questions over Swakar Nursing College
A significant part of the press conference focused on the financial affairs of the Swakar institution.
Thakur placed the following figures before the media, which he said represented the institution’s business turnover in different financial years:
- 2020–21: ₹54,83,981
- 2021–22: ₹64,73,956
- 2022–23: ₹73,77,076
He questioned whether all relevant financial interests and institutional connections had been properly disclosed in the documents required by law.
Thakur demanded scrutiny of the institution’s books of account, balance sheets, income-tax returns, bank transactions, sources of funds and relationship with the society and its office-bearers.
He alleged that the financial figures warranted an independent examination to establish who controlled the institution and who ultimately benefited from its operations.
Election affidavit under scrutiny
Thakur also targeted Chander Shekhar’s election affidavit filed for the 2022 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
The publicly available archive of the 2022 election affidavit records Chander Shekhar’s profession as “Agriculturist” and his total declared assets at approximately ₹45.99 lakh, with liabilities of approximately ₹4.22 lakh. The affidavit also contains declared income-tax return information for preceding financial years.
Thakur questioned whether the MLA’s alleged connection with the nursing and health-training institution and its financial activities were adequately reflected in the election disclosures.
He specifically referred to the affidavit submitted on October 25, 2022, and alleged that relevant information was missing from the disclosure sections. He said legal consultation was underway and warned that a case could be filed before a court if legal scrutiny establishes grounds for such action.
Question over holding a public office and private institutional position
Another major issue raised by Thakur was the alleged simultaneous holding of a public office and the chairmanship of the society associated with the private institution.
He questioned whether a sitting MLA can continue as chairman of such an organisation and said legal opinion was being obtained on the matter.
Thakur maintained that the issue was not merely political but involved questions of transparency, public accountability and possible conflict of interest. He called for the relevant authorities to examine the legal position and determine whether any statutory or regulatory provisions had been breached.
‘Development has been left behind’
Thakur accused Chander Shekhar of prioritising personal development over the development of Dharampur.
He said that despite being Congress’s only MLA from Mandi district, Chander Shekhar had repeatedly complained about the government not approving his demands, while, according to Thakur, the constituency continued to await improvements in basic infrastructure.
He alleged that the contrast between the constituency’s development needs and the expansion of private institutional interests raised legitimate questions that could only be settled through an impartial investigation.
Demands comprehensive probe
Thakur said his objective was not limited to making political allegations and insisted that the documents he had placed before the media should be examined by the competent authorities.
He demanded a comprehensive inquiry covering:
- the constitution and management of the Pahari Rajya Lok Seva Samiti;
- the alleged position of Chander Shekhar as its chairman;
- the recognition and approvals granted to the Swakar institution;
- compliance with land and other statutory conditions;
- the institution’s financial transactions and turnover;
- income-tax returns, balance sheets and banking records;
- the source and utilisation of institutional funds;
- the relationship between the society, institution and its office-bearers; and
- the disclosures made in the MLA’s 2022 election affidavit.
Thakur said that if the inquiry establishes violations, the government should initiate action strictly according to law.
He also challenged Chander Shekhar to come before the public and explain the documents, institutional connections and financial questions raised at the press conference.
The allegations made by Rajat Thakur have not been independently established. Chander Shekhar’s response to the specific allegations was not available at the time of publication.
