MANDI (Munish Sood)
Himachal Pradesh has been witnessing a series of incidents that raise serious questions about the state of governance. Is everything truly under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s control or are some officials or near ones working against the Congress regime?
A few recent incidents have, one after the other, not only damaged the government’s image within the state, but made it a topic of ridicule across the country. Confidential information, meant to stay within the government, is finding its way to the public domain.
Negligence or deliberate sabotage attempt
Such incidents are making people question whether these are the result of negligence or a deliberate attempt by some internal forces to tarnish the government’s image.
Political experts are wondering how internal information, meant to stay within the government, is finding its way to the public and social media. Even officials and employees appear to be leaking documents that give the opposition fresh issues to attack the government.
As a result, the government is repeatedly forced into defending itself, often with explanations that fail to satisfy the public.
‘Jungli murga’ menu leaked on social media
The most recent incident during the Chief Minister’s ‘Sarkar Aap Ke Dwar’ programme at Tikkar village in Kupvi area of Chopal subdivision in Shimla district has become a major talking point.
A government-issued menu card for the dinner mentioned ‘jungli murga’ (grey junglefowl) among the 14 items for the CM’s dinner, a detail that should never have been made public.
“This oversight could have easily been avoided if officials had checked the document carefully before releasing it to the media. Instead, it became a source of embarrassment for the government,” said a political analyst.
CID inquiry after samosa controversy
This is not the first time the government has faced such issues. A few weeks ago, the samosa controversy gained widespread attention when confidential information from the state’s CID department was leaked.
It revealed gaps in the government’s ability to control its own departments. The CID, responsible for intelligence and security, was caught off guard by leaks from within its ranks.
“This raises serious concerns about internal discipline and suggests that some forces are working against the administration,” the analyst said.
HRTC probe over anti-Rahul video in bus
Days after the samosa controversy, the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) initiated an inquiry against a bus driver and conductor after a passenger played an audio clip critical of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The incident took place on November 5, 2024, on a bus operating between Dhalli and Sanjauli. A complaint regarding the audio was lodged with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), which promptly directed the HRTC to take action.
In response, the bus staff were served notices. The move sparked criticism from the opposition BJP, which accused the ruling Congress government of misusing its authority.
Toilet tax grabs national headlines
The introduction of a toilet tax created another major controversy for the government. The matter became a national issue, with even the Prime Minister and senior BJP leaders using it to criticise the Congress government during election campaigns in Haryana and Maharashtra.
What started as a local administrative decision soon spiraled into a public relations disaster. Once again, the leak of internal discussions played a big role in turning this into a national embarrassment.
Bus fare blunders for cooker, heater
More recently, a bizarre incident came to light when a passenger on a government bus was charged a ticket fee for carrying a pressure cooker. Social media picked up the story and the government faced widespread criticism.
Before the dust could settle, another report surfaced where a passenger was charged fare for carrying a heater. “These incidents, though minor, reflect poorly on the administration and show a lack of proper oversight within government departments,” said the analyst.
Deputy CM Agnihotri’s strong warning
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also heads the transport department, addressed these controversies during a government programme in Bilaspur on December 11.
In a public speech, he criticised officials for spreading rumours about the government’s stability. He warned them not to engage in actions that damage the government’s image or create confusion. His strong words made it clear that even senior leaders were aware of the issues within the bureaucracy.
Test of leadership for first-time CM Sukhu
The repeated controversies have created a challenging situation for Sukhu, a first-time Chief Minister who hasn’t even been a minister earlier.
“If CM Sukhu wants to ensure smooth governance in the next three years, he must tighten his grip on the administration. He needs to identify and address the internal forces working against his government. Ensuring discipline, keeping a close watch on his team and fixing accountability will be crucial. If these issues are not resolved soon, these could continue to harm the government’s image and its ability to function effectively,” the analyst said.
