Shimla/Dharamshala: Himachal Pradesh witnessed an intense political showdown on Tuesday as Congress leader RS Bali, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), clashed with Sudhir Sharma, a former Congress leader and now BJP MLA. Within hours of Bali’s press conference concluded at Shimla’s Holiday Home at 1:40 PM, Sudhir Sharma responded with a press statement at 4:50 PM, escalating the battle into a full-blown political confrontation.
At the press conference, Bali accused Sudhir Sharma of spreading falsehoods to mislead the public. He specifically highlighted Sudhir’s alleged role in creating unrest by spreading misinformation about the state’s tourism assets. “Sudhir Sharma is responsible for sowing discontent and propagating lies. This is not what responsible leaders do,” Bali declared, targeting his former party colleague.
Sudhir Sharma wasted no time in countering Bali’s claims. In a press release, Sharma launched a personal attack on Bali, questioning his business dealings and accusing him of mismanagement at HPTDC. “Who owns Himachal Health Care, and how much profit has it gained from the Him-Care scheme?” Sharma asked, directly linking Bali to the company.
He further blamed Bali for HPTDC’s financial troubles, stating, “All the losses in HPTDC are due to Bali’s incompetence. He is entirely responsible for its downfall.”
The exchange has sparked a political firestorm, with observers debating the motives behind Sudhir Sharma’s sharp reaction. Many believe the attack stems from the long-standing political rivalry between the two leaders. While Bali has risen within the Congress ranks as a dynamic and outspoken leader, Sudhir Sharma has faced allegations of abandoning Congress for personal gains after being sidelined during Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s tenure as state Congress chief.
Sudhir Sharma’s switch to the BJP has added a new dimension to Himachal Pradesh’s political narrative. Once considered the protégé of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Sudhir was known for his proximity to Congress’s power circles. However, his exit from the party, following Sukhu’s alleged “stepmotherly treatment,” has been a turning point.
The timing of Sudhir’s attack on Bali, just hours after the press conference, has raised eyebrows. Political analysts see it as an attempt to undermine Bali’s growing influence within Congress, especially at a time when the BJP is looking to gain an edge in the state’s political arena.
The feud between the two leaders has left Himachal Pradesh’s political watchers speculating about the implications for both parties. Will Bali’s assertive stance help him consolidate his position in Congress, or will Sudhir Sharma’s counterattack resonate with the public? One thing is certain: the political dynamics in the hill state are far from settled.
