The political atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh has intensified as BJP state president Dr Rajeev Bindal has accused the Congress-led government of nepotism and election misconduct.
Addressing the media in Shimla on Wednesday (June 19, 2024), Dr Bindal criticised the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government, claiming it had transformed into a regime catering exclusively to “family and friends”.
Highlighting the by-elections scheduled for the Assembly constituencies of Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh, Dr Bindal condemned the Chief Minister’s recent announcement to establish a police district in Dehra. He described the move as a blatant violation of constitutional norms, accusing the government of manipulating administrative decisions to sway voter sentiment.
“The present Congress government is not just a government of friends anymore, it has become a government of husband, wife and friends,” Dr Bindal asserted. He questioned the timing of the decision, insinuating that it was politically motivated to benefit the Chief Minister’s wife, who is contesting from Dehra.
Dr Bindal further criticized the Election Commission’s perceived inaction, alleging bias in its handling of the electoral process. “The Election Commission has failed to uphold impartiality in both Lok Sabha elections and these byelections,” he remarked, raising doubts about the commission’s integrity.
Addressing broader governance issues, Dr Bindal pointed out the government’s neglect of pressing state matters such as water scarcity, forest fires, rising crime rate and unchecked drug trafficking. He accused the cabinet of prioritising electoral gains over addressing these critical issues.
“This government’s actions, including the announcement of various schemes and recruitments, blatantly violate the election code of conduct,” Dr Bindal asserted, stressing that such tactics will not benefit the Congress in the upcoming elections.
