Munish Sood
Mandi
The indefinite hunger strike launched by Dharampur Congress MLA Chander Shekhar at Awahdevi has come under heavy fire, with BJP leader Rajat Thakur — son of former minister Mahinder Singh Thakur and BJP’s candidate from Dharampur in the last Assembly elections — branding it a “political stunt to mislead the public and protect contractor interests.”
“Drama to Save Political Ground”
Rajat Thakur, who lost to Chander Shekhar in the 2022 elections, minced no words while exposing the MLA’s motives. “If quality of work was truly an issue, why didn’t he intervene two years ago when shoddy construction began? The loot was allowed under his watch, and now he is shedding crocodile tears,” Thakur charged.
He further accused the Congress MLA of deliberately protecting contractors close to the party. “Every retaining wall that collapsed was built by Congress-backed contractors, yet the MLA refuses to accept moral responsibility,” he said, naming Manohar Lal, Bittu, Babu Ram, Bunty Ram, Pawan Kumar, Dhyan Singh, Uday Saklani, Rahul Saklani, Balbir Singh, Shubham Rana, and Vikas Rahi — all of whom, he claimed, bagged multi-crore projects under VRN Company.
Contractor’s Dharna?
Thakur alleged that the dharna is less about public grievances and more about ensuring dues for party-linked contractors. “Look at who is sitting around him — contractors worried about payments, not villagers suffering from landslides. With only two years left in this government’s tenure, they are desperate to recover money,” he said.
Illegal Dumping, Mining and Timber Cases Ignored
Rajat Thakur also raised questions about the MLA’s silence on illegal activities that flourished under his watch:
• Massive dumping near Padchu bridge went unchecked despite repeated complaints.
• Illegal mining near Bahri Khad, Thotu Khad, and Sakrain Khad happened right under the MLA’s nose.
• Timber smuggling cases currently in court are being brushed aside, with the hunger strike serving as a smokescreen.
• An FIR against NHAI was lodged in 2023, but no follow-up action has been disclosed to the public.
Public Loss, Political Convenience
Residents from Padlu to Baroti bore the brunt of collapsed roads and walls, but the MLA chose Awahdevi — a politically safe spot — for his hunger strike. “If he truly cared for people, he would have staged the protest in the worst-hit villages. Instead, this is a drama for credit-seeking,” Thakur said.
He also reminded locals of long-pending issues — the uprooted rain shelter at Tihra, denotified Choulthra Polytechnic, and incomplete school buildings such as at Reshan Galu. “Why no protest on these issues?” he asked.
Timed Before PM’s Visit
The BJP leader said the timing of the dharna was no coincidence. “This is being done just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit — to wash away sins and divert attention from failures, including illegal timber cases,” Thakur alleged.
“Dharampur Deserves Answers”
Concluding his sharp attack, Thakur demanded accountability: What happened to the 2023 inspection tours with the DC? Why was nothing done when women in Sandhol staged a protest in January? Who supplied illegally mined stones to the highway company that damaged the Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan?
“Instead of fighting for genuine relief, the MLA is staging a contractor-driven protest. Dharampur’s people are no longer willing to be fooled by this drama,” Thakur said.
