Ex-CM Jai Ram says hard work put in to restore water supply
Sunil Chadha
Shimla:
In a rare moment of bipartisan appreciation, Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri received unexpected praise from the opposition BJP during the monsoon session of the Vidhan Sabha for his department’s prompt response in the flashflood-ravaged Seraj region of Mandi district.
Even as the opposition sharpened its attack on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government over alleged mismanagement in handling the recent natural disasters, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur publicly acknowledged in the Vidhan Sabha the efforts of the Agnihotri-headed Jal Shakti Department.
Speaking on the opening day of the session on August 18, Jai Ram Thakur commended the department’s swift action in restoring disrupted water supply lines across Seraj, one of the worst-affected areas during the recent cloudbursts. The statement drew rare bipartisan applause, with BJP MLAs thumping their desks in agreement, a gesture not commonly extended to a senior minister of the rival party.
Deputy CM Agnihotri later shared the moment on his social media, calling it a “welcome acknowledgment of ground-level efforts by dedicated officials”.
Brief harmony turns bitter next day over black flag protest
However, the goodwill was short-lived. The very next day on August 19, tensions flared in the Assembly as Agnihotri and Jai Ram Thakur locked horns over an incident in Thunag where black flags and even shoes were reportedly hurled at Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi’s convoy.
Terming the act as “shameful and against democratic values”, Agnihotri condemned the protest, emphasising that such actions, especially against a vehicle flying the national flag, set a dangerous precedent. He warned that if such practices continue, opposition leaders may face similar protests during their own constituency visits in the future. “This culture must stop,” he asserted, calling for strict action.
Jai Ram Thakur, however, hit back sharply. He alleged that it was under the current regime that such protests began, citing an instance where he himself was shown black flags and faced threats during visits to Kinnaur and Lahaul.
Agnihotri responds with policy points and relief stats
Agnihotri defended the government’s work and reiterated that officers in his department have been directed to act even on suggestions from opposition leaders, reflecting a commitment to non-partisan governance. He alleged that BJP legislators were working behind the scenes to block central funding for Himachal, with some union ministers warning of potential backlash if funds were released.
Highlighting relief efforts, Agnihotri revealed that 10,000 ration kits were sent from his own district Una to help those affected in Seraj. He also pointed to relief disbursals made by senior officials, including over Rs 1 crore distributed in the disaster-hit belt of Jai Ram Thakur’s constituency.
