As 2 new Himachal ministers not given portfolios even after a month, both Cong & BJP question Sukhu govt’s ‘decision paralysis’
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The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: It’s been nearly a month since the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government inducted two new ministers into its cabinet on December 12, 2023, but Rajesh Dharmani and Yadvinder Goma are yet to be allocated portfolios.
The inordinate delay has been criticised by leaders of the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP alike with both alleging the Sukhu government of “decision paralysis”. A senior Congress leader alleged that the ruling party had become a laughing stock due to its inability to take quick decisions. He said Dharmani and Goma were being laughed upon in political circles as “ministers in waiting”. “It’s high time Chief Minister Sukhu mends his ways as the Lok Sabha elections are not too far away. The portfolios must be allocated at the earliest,” he said.
BJP leader Chetan Bragta, who unsuccessfully contested the last Assembly election from Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency, said the Sukhu regime would go down in Himachal’s history as one symbolising “decision paralysis”. He said the Sukhu government first took a year to appoint two ministers and was now keeping them waiting endlessly for portfolios.
Sources close to Chief Minister Sukhu said the delay hinted at a broader reshuffling of portfolios for several ministers as the Chief Minister was emphasising performance improvements among his cabinet members. Dissatisfaction with the performance of certain ministers has triggered contemplation of reassigning their departments, possibly to more capable hands, they said. The government is also considering reallocating smaller portfolios currently held by ministers lacking interest in the assigned duties.
Dharmani is the sole Congress MLA from Bilaspur, the home district of BJP national president JP Nadda, and represents Ghumarwin constituency in the Assembly. Goma is an MLA from Jaisinghpur constituency in Kangra, the politically most significant district of the state.
