Munish Sood
Mandi
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Monday intensified his attack on the state government after the High Court struck down its decision to introduce a 5% quota in the Panchayat election reservation roster, terming the move “legally untenable and politically motivated.”
Welcoming the court’s directive to scrap the provision and issue a fresh roster, Thakur said the ruling had once again exposed what he described as the “repeated failure” of the government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to adhere to constitutional norms.
“Pattern of Constitutional Violations”
Thakur asserted that the now-quashed decision was in direct violation of Article 243(D) of the Constitution, which governs reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions. He said the opposition had flagged the issue at the very outset, cautioning the government against proceeding with what he called an “unconstitutional and legally indefensible” move.
“Despite clear warnings, the Chief Minister chose to ignore constitutional provisions as well as expert opinion. The result is yet another judicial setback for the government,” Thakur said, adding that the development reflects a troubling pattern of governance.
Government Accused of Undermining Electoral Process
The former Chief Minister alleged that the Sukhu government has consistently attempted to influence and delay Panchayat elections through administrative and legal manoeuvres. He claimed that after the State Election Commission initiated the election process, the government created “avoidable obstacles” at multiple levels.
Thakur cited the invocation of disaster-related provisions to defer elections, transfers of key officials linked to the State Election Commission, and attempts to position officers with alleged proximity to the Chief Minister’s Office as part of a “systematic effort to weaken institutional independence.”
Judiciary’s Repeated Interventions Highlight Concerns
Emphasising the role of the judiciary, Thakur noted that both the High Court and the Supreme Court had intervened multiple times to ensure that the electoral process remains on track. He pointed out that the High Court had earlier directed that elections be completed by April 30, rejecting the government’s justification related to disaster constraints.
He further referred to the Supreme Court’s subsequent order extending the timeline to May 31, accompanied by strong observations questioning the government’s intent and preparedness. “When a government can organise celebrations, citing incapacity to conduct elections raises serious questions,” he remarked.
Thakur also highlighted that previous decisions related to delimitation and electoral rolls had similarly failed to withstand judicial scrutiny, reinforcing concerns over the government’s approach.
“Governance by Litigation, Not Constitution”
In a sharp political remark, Thakur said the state government appears to be functioning in a “reactive mode dictated by court orders rather than constitutional discipline.” He accused the ruling Congress of “invoking the Constitution in rhetoric while disregarding it in governance.”
“The repeated judicial setbacks are not isolated incidents but indicative of a deeper administrative and legal misjudgment at the highest level,” he said.
Implications for Panchayat Elections
With the High Court now mandating a fresh reservation roster, the state machinery will be required to realign the electoral framework in accordance with constitutional provisions. The ruling is expected to further tighten judicial oversight over the Panchayat election process in Himachal Pradesh.
As the political confrontation sharpens, the latest verdict has added fresh momentum to the opposition’s criticism, placing the Sukhu-led government under increasing scrutiny over its handling of grassroots democratic institutions.
