Shimla: Former BJP state president and MP Suresh Kashyap has strongly criticized the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government for not inviting the Governor to official events commemorating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Mahaparinirvan Day. Speaking out against what he termed as “a reflection of Congress’s narrow mindset,” Kashyap expressed disappointment over the deliberate exclusion of the state’s first citizen from programs held to honor the architect of the Indian Constitution.
Kashyap emphasized the national significance of the day, stating, “Dr. Ambedkar, a Bharat Ratna awardee, devoted his life to ensuring equality and justice for all, particularly for the marginalized and oppressed. While the entire nation is paying homage to this great leader, it is unfortunate that in Himachal Pradesh, the state government failed to respect the constitutional protocol by excluding the Governor from official events.”
Congress Accused of Politicizing Protocol
Elaborating on his allegations, Kashyap pointed out that several events were organized in Shimla and across the state, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attending some programs. However, the Governor, who represents the constitutional apex of the state, was not invited to any event, including one organized by the Shimla Municipal Corporation. Kashyap labeled this as an intentional oversight, reflective of Congress’s political bias.
“The Governor’s position is not tied to any political party. It is a constitutional office that demands respect from all governments. By repeatedly attempting to undermine this institution, the Congress has displayed a disregard for democratic norms,” Kashyap remarked.
Congress’s Governance Under Fire
Kashyap further accused the Congress government of failing to address critical issues during its two-year tenure, alleging that the administration has driven the state backward by a decade. He pointed out that development projects have stalled and corruption, including alleged collusion with mining mafias, has tarnished governance.
“The Congress government is set to celebrate December 11 as a milestone, but what are they celebrating? In two years, they have burdened the state with debt, empowered corruption, and pushed Himachal into a financial crisis. The people of Himachal feel betrayed and disillusioned,” he stated.
Governor’s Role Praised
Contrasting the state government’s approach, Kashyap praised the Governor for maintaining a positive and constructive stance toward Himachal Pradesh’s welfare. He refuted claims of any pending bills with the Governor, dismissing them as baseless political accusations.
“The Congress government’s failure to invite the Governor is not just a breach of protocol but a demonstration of its obsession with politicizing every matter, even those of constitutional significance. Such actions are not in the best interests of the state,” Kashyap concluded.
A Call for Accountability
As the political slugfest continues, the BJP has reiterated its demand for accountability from the Congress government, urging it to focus on governance instead of political vendettas. Whether this incident will further strain relations between the state government and the Governor’s office remains to be seen.
