TNR Interview
Breaks silence on Section 118 nexus, says will act in an hour if provided proof
Munish Sood
MANDI:
Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi has broken his silence on a series of controversies, allegations and political flashpoints, offering firm rebuttals and detailed explanations.
In an exclusive and wide-ranging conversation with senior journalist Munish Sood of The News Radar in Mandi, Negi particularly addressed allegations of a nexus operating in his office in connection with Section 118 land permissions allowing outsiders to purchase property in Himachal Pradesh. Dismissing the charge outright, he said there was no wrongdoing as such under his watch.
“There is no nexus functioning in my office. If anyone provides solid and verifiable evidence, I will take action within an hour,” Negi asserted.
Says he’ll continue to speak truth, it’s his constitutional right
Responding to the perception that his blunt and controversial statements often embarrass the state government and the Congress, Negi said he would not dilute his stand. “I will speak the truth and I will speak clearly. This is not arrogance, but my constitutional right,” he stated.
When questioned about his repeated barbs towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Negi became visibly assertive. “Am I so powerful that my words can stop a relief package? Is it a crime to ask questions to the Prime Minister? We have not made any unconstitutional statements,” he said.
He insisted that democratic accountability allows questioning of the Prime Minister and that statements made by him were within constitutional limits.
Negi challenged the narrative that central funds are discretionary favours: “Whatever money comes to Himachal is not charity, but the people’s money. Himachal is part of this country. The people here pay taxes and they have a rightful claim on national resources.”
He said if the Centre treats Himachal with what he termed “step-motherly behaviour”, the state has the moral and political right to question it. “Announcements should not remain empty promises. If you announce a package, you must release it,” he said.
Addresses controversy related to Jai Ram Thakur
Addressing his ongoing war of words with former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Negi defended his statements strongly. “Show me one word that I have spoken against him which is unconstitutional,” he challenged.
He said that when Jai Ram Thakur was the Chief Minister, he faced harsh remarks from him on the floor of the Assembly. “He felt the pain only when he moved to the opposition benches and I used the same language which he used against me,” Negi said. He clarified that he does not have any personal animosity but insisted that political decorum must be maintained.
Rejects talk of fear factor with CM Sukhu
On claims that even Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was unable to control him due to fear, Negi rejected the notion outright. “There is no fear. This arrangement is called trust. People twist it and spread propaganda,” he stated.
He reiterated that his relationship with the Chief Minister is based on trust, not intimidation or political pressure.
Asked about an apparent contradiction where some ministers publicly thank central leaders after meetings in Delhi while he claims that funds had not been received, Negi took a restrained but firm stand. “I cannot comment on what others say or do. I don’t understand publicity politics and I don’t believe in it,” he said. He said he also meets central ministers but avoids social media publicity.
“Why should we thank them? This is not their personal money. Under different heads and schemes, this money belongs to the state. We will thank them the day they give something from their own pocket,” he said.
Links ugly Seraj incident to encroachments
On the recent controversial incident involving him in the Seraj region, Negi said that the real discussion should be about illegal land occupation. “If an honest investigation is conducted, the maximum encroachments will be found in the Thunag area,” he claimed, alleging that many BJP leaders and workers had illegally occupied government land.
However, he said the government has presently refrained from strict action due to the region being severely impacted by floods.
On the Tejwanti Negi case, Negi acknowledged that a verdict had come recently and that it was not favourable to him. “A decision came yesterday and it is against me. I have not studied it properly yet. Once I read it, I will decide the future legal course,” he said.
Calls Kangana Ranaut row a political satire
Negi also responded to controversy over his remark on Kangana Ranaut. “There was nothing wrong in what I said. It was a political satire. It was twisted and presented in a distorted manner,” he said. He maintained that the remark was misrepresented deliberately to create outrage.
Rejecting claims that he shifted loyalties for power — first distancing from the Virbhadra Singh camp, then aligning with Mukesh Agnihotri and later supporting Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu — Negi said his loyalty was always to ideology, not individuals.
“I have always been aligned with the Congress ideology. My loyalty is towards the organisation and constitutional responsibility of my post, not to individuals,” he said.
