Munish Sood
MANDI
What began as a controversial social media post by Minister Vikramaditya Singh has now erupted into a full-scale public confrontation within the ruling Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, exposing deep cracks inside the Cabinet and turning internal disagreements into an open political battle.
The row, triggered by Vikramaditya Singh’s remarks on IAS and IPS officers posted from outside the state, has snowballed into one of the most visible displays of discord within the Congress government, with senior ministers taking contradictory positions and airing differences before the public.
Vikramaditya Singh had alleged that officers from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, currently serving in Himachal Pradesh, were not forcefully advocating the state’s interests. Addressing a public gathering in Mandi, he claimed that the issue had originally been raised by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and that he had only seconded the concern. However, Vikramaditya made it clear that he stood firmly by his statement and even hinted at naming officers if required.
His remarks immediately triggered a wave of reactions from within his own government, turning what should have remained an internal administrative issue into a public showdown among Congress leaders.
Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri was the first to respond but later attempted to distance himself, saying he had not heard Vikramaditya Singh’s statement properly. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi termed the remarks inappropriate and said that if there were specific grievances, officers concerned should have been named through proper channels. Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh launched a direct attack, suggesting that such statements were being made due to an inability to get work done from the bureaucracy. Minister Rajesh Dharmani also cautioned that the controversy was damaging the administrative atmosphere of the state.
Rohit Thakur Breaks Cabinet Silence
As the internal rift widened, Education Minister and Kotkhai MLA Rohit Thakur broke ranks with several Cabinet colleagues and publicly came out in support of Vikramaditya Singh, further deepening the perception of a divided government.
Speaking to the media in Shimla, Thakur described Vikramaditya Singh as a capable minister and said that one statement should not be blown out of proportion. While acknowledging that officers from outside the state have also contributed to Himachal’s development, he added that officers belonging to the state carry a greater moral responsibility towards its progress.
“Every state has both positive and negative-minded officers. But Vikramaditya Singh is a capable minister. The Chief Minister should clarify the matter publicly so that confusion is removed,” Thakur said, dismissing speculation that the issue would be formally discussed in the Cabinet.
Chief Minister Steps In
Sensing the political damage, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu attempted to contain the fallout while speaking to the media in Delhi. He asserted that there was no internal dispute and praised the functioning of IAS and IPS officers.
“There is no such controversy. The nation comes first, and the state’s interests are our priority. All officers are working sincerely,” the Chief Minister said.
However, his remark that for nearly four decades the state’s interests had not been pursued seriously added another layer to the ongoing debate, keeping the controversy alive.
With ministers openly contradicting each other and the issue refusing to fade, the officer row has now transformed into a public power struggle within the ruling Congress. What was once an internal governance concern has become a test of the government’s cohesion, leadership control, and ability to manage sensitive issues without internal divisions spilling into the public domain.
