Munish Sood
Mandi
The political temperature in Himachal Pradesh has intensified after fresh details emerged about the scale of celebrations marking Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s birthday, even as the state government continues to flag a severe financial crisis.
District BJP President Mandi, Nihal Chand Sharma, launched a fresh salvo, terming the developments as “deeply contradictory and insensitive” to the economic realities faced by the people of the state.
“While the Chief Minister continues to cite financial distress—blaming the stoppage of Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG) and GST compensation—the visuals emerging from the celebrations tell a completely different story,” Thakur said.
Highlighting specific instances, Sharma pointed out that supporters arranged for a drone-based showering of flower petals during the celebrations, adding a layer of spectacle to the event. “At a time when the government is pleading lack of funds, such orchestrated displays raise serious questions about priorities,” he remarked.
He further referred to the cutting of a 62-kg cake by the Chief Minister, in the presence of his family and a large gathering of party supporters. “This is not just symbolism; it reflects the mindset of a government that is disconnected from the struggles of the common man,” Sharma alleged.
The BJP leader also took note of the festive atmosphere, including cultural performances where supporters danced to traditional music, and even elected representatives joined in. “There is nothing wrong with cultural expression, but the timing and scale of such celebrations must be questioned when the state is under financial strain,” he said.
However, Sharma acknowledged that certain parallel activities, such as a blood donation camp organized by the Youth Congress at the Ridge in Shimla and a walkathon promoting a healthy lifestyle inaugurated by the Chief Minister, were positive initiatives. “But these cannot be used as a cover to justify extravagance elsewhere,” he added.
Launching a broader attack, Sharma said, “On one side, the government is increasing taxes, delaying financial commitments, and citing an empty treasury. On the other, it is allowing or encouraging grand celebrations. This dual approach exposes the gap between what the government says and what it does.”
He demanded transparency on the funding of the events, reiterating that the public has a right to know whether any government resources were involved. “If public money has been used, it is a direct insult to taxpayers. And even if it is privately funded, the leadership must show restraint and sensitivity in such times,” he said.
As Himachal Pradesh navigates a challenging fiscal landscape, the controversy has added fuel to an already charged political environment, with the opposition sharpening its attack on what it calls “optics-driven governance” at the cost of public accountability.
