Shimla: Political appointments of chairpersons and directors in Himachal Pradesh have sparked fresh controversy, highlighting the financial burden on the already debt-ridden state. The controversy extends beyond financial implications, igniting discontent within the ruling Congress party itself.
A significant flashpoint has been the appointment of Lalit Thakur, a former BJP leader, as a senior dignitary of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Chamba. Thakur’s appointment has stirred anger among several Congress leaders and workers, who feel sidelined by this decision.
Thakur, who joined the Congress three years ago, has a complex political history; he was previously associated with the Shiv Sena and contested elections against Congress from the Bharmour constituency. Thakur was also an active member of the Himachal Vikas Congress, a splinter group formed by former Union Minister Pandit Sukhram, which had contested against its parent party, the Congress.
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The APMC panel for Chamba district was initially recommended by the local Congress leadership. However, the list was allegedly altered at the state level in Shimla, adding Thakur’s name, triggering outrage among party members. Sources suggest that complaints have already been registered with senior Congress leaders in Delhi, reflecting the growing internal dissent over the appointment.
Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s stance on the state’s financial health. “On one hand, the Chief Minister laments the state’s poor financial condition, while on the other, his government continues to make politically motivated appointments,” a BJP spokesperson said.
The recent increase in the salary of the chairman of the Workers’ Welfare Board from ₹30,000 to ₹1,30,000 has also drawn criticism from the opposition, who claim it adds unnecessary financial burden to the state.
Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, has condemned the government for its expenditure, pointing out that “crores have been spent on legal fees for the case against Chief Parliamentary Secretaries appointed by the current Congress regime.”
The ongoing controversy highlights the complex interplay between political strategy and governance in Himachal Pradesh, where political appointments continue to spark debate amidst the state’s financial woes.
