Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu made a strong statement on electoral outcomes, raising serious questions about the security of Electronic Voting Machines. He claimed that EVMs can be hacked by anyone, while commenting on the recent assembly results from West Bengal and Kerala.
The Chief Minister noted the Congress party’s remarkable comeback in Kerala. For West Bengal, he stated that the party fielded candidates on all 294 seats after two decades, describing it as a calculated strategy to reinforce the party’s ideology in the state.
Sukhu remarked that the rise of the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal occurred by damaging the Congress vote bank. He alleged that the BJP capitalized on polarization and a 15-year anti-incumbency wave. Claiming a special roadmap for the next five to seven years, he predicted a direct fight between the BJP and Congress in the state.
Attacks on Central Agencies and Constitutional Bodies
The Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on the central government, alleging a major shift in the political landscape since 2014. He accused the BJP of using constitutional bodies like the Enforcement Directorate, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Election Commission as its “weapons and workers,” stating that tactics of persuasion and coercion are being used to win elections.
Recounts 2014 Voting Pattern Anomaly
Citing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu questioned the unusual drop in the Congress vote share, calling it historically abnormal. He revealed that he had expressed concerns about EVMs back then, but people did not believe him. He asserted that such a sudden spike in vote percentage cannot be ignored.
Phased Rollout of Welfare Guarantees
Detailing the implementation of Himachal’s 10 guarantees, the CM confirmed the phased fulfillment of promises. Women in the tribal belt have started receiving Rs 1,500. Backward areas like Kupvi and Rohru are covered in the second phase, while the third phase will target one lakh extremely poor families with Rs 1,500 and 300 units of free electricity, applicable only to families with annual income below Rs two lakh.
Zero Tolerance on Corruption, Civic Polls as Litmus Test
Underlining his “zero tolerance” policy on corruption, Sukhu stated that the government has shut the backdoors of graft. Commenting on the police recruitment case, he noted that internal squabbles among officers are exposing how public money is leaking, promising strict action against those with illegally acquired assets.
Ahead of municipal elections, the CM clarified that while local body polls are fought without party symbols, they serve as a crucial benchmark for any ruling dispensation’s performance.
Economic Challenges and Financial Hurdles
The CM attacked the Centre over rising inflation and highlighted a Rs 1,000 hike in gas cylinder prices. He also accused the BJP of planning to discontinue Himachal’s Revenue Deficit Grant, causing a potential loss of Rs 10,000 crore. He added that the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme led to a halt of Rs 1,600 crore in additional borrowing limits.
Green Vision for Shimla
A significant vision for the state capital was also shared. Shimla Municipal Corporation is set to become the state’s first fully electric civic body. Garbage collection vehicles have already been electrified, aiming to cut diesel and petrol costs while protecting the environment under the ‘Green Himachal’ initiative.
