Munish Sood
MANDI
Himachal Pradesh is in the middle of its winter session in Tapovan, but the sharper political discussion is happening outside the Assembly — triggered by a fresh Facebook post from former CPS Neeraj Bharti, the son of Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar.
Bharti, known for speaking his mind even when it goes against his own party line, wrote that he would soon disclose the “role and intention” of certain “mitra” (friends) and the officials appointed by them. Though he did not name anyone, the post is being interpreted as a comment aimed at the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
Bharti’s remarks have now taken the same argument beyond the Assembly, giving it a new angle because it comes from someone linked to a senior minister in the ruling party.
Not the first flashpoint
This is not Bharti’s first public disagreement with the current system. A few months earlier, he had criticised his own father over transfers from the BJP era that were not cancelled. The situation escalated to a point where Bharti wrote that even a resignation could be considered if things did not move.
The matter eventually required Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene directly. Bharti was called to Shimla and the issue was settled for the moment. But the episode had already revealed that not everything was running smoothly within the party.
Bharti’s new post has come exactly when the government is responding to the Opposition in the Assembly. The timing has therefore attracted attention, especially since the comments hint at dissatisfaction with how the system is functioning.
A former MLA from Jawali and a former CPS in the Virbhadra Singh government, Bharti’s statements carry political value even though he currently holds no office. His public tone suggests that differences within the establishment have not fully eased.
The big question now circulating in political circles is whether Bharti is preparing to make specific disclosures or simply signalling discomfort with the present administrative style. His choice of words has left room for interpretation.
