Mandi: Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jairam Thakur, on Thursday accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of openly flouting the Model Code of Conduct in the run-up to the urban local bodies and panchayat elections.
Addressing a press conference in Mandi and later during his visit to Chhatri in Seraj area, Jairam Thakur said the Congress government is indulging in illegal activities behind the scenes while the entire state is under the election mode. He warned that the Bharatiya Janata Party will not tolerate such actions and is closely monitoring every move.
“Government officials appointed in various boards and corporations are misusing public resources and taxpayers’ money for election campaigning. This is not only unethical but a direct violation of the Election Commission’s guidelines,” Thakur said.
He demanded that the Election Commission take immediate cognisance of these activities and put a stop to the misuse of official positions for political gains.
Allegations on Outsourced Agencies
Jairam Thakur alleged that through outsourced agencies, the Congress government is luring unemployed youth with false promises of jobs. He claimed that most of these agencies belong to Congress leaders who enjoy direct patronage of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
“These people are highly active during the elections and are misleading the youth in the name of employment to benefit their favourite candidates. Today’s voters are very aware and will not be fooled by Congress’s false promises and such tactics,” he added.
The former Chief Minister further alleged that small-time Congress leaders are using official pressure and muscle to influence the electoral process.
Warning of Accountability
Jairam Thakur cautioned that in a democracy, the sanctity of the Model Code of Conduct is supreme. He warned that if the government continues to misuse institutions to favour its ‘friends’, the BJP will not only complain to the Election Commission but will also expose the government in the court of the people.
He said the Sukhu government, sensing defeat, has become desperate and is taking steps that are against administrative norms. Thakur appealed to government officials and machinery not to become part of any illegal activities under political pressure, warning that every wrong decision will be accounted for when the time comes.
‘Using Money Power to Influence Elections’
Attacking the Congress government’s performance, Jairam Thakur said the Sukhu-led dispensation has already accepted defeat in the upcoming elections. “Now they are trying to influence the polls through money power and unethical means,” he alleged.
The BJP leader informed that the Bharatiya Janata Party has already announced official candidates for most seats in the local body elections and will soon declare candidates for the remaining seats.
“Elections should be free, fair and transparent. If the government tries to use money power or adopts unfair practices, the BJP knows how to give a befitting reply,” he asserted.
Jairam Thakur’s strong remarks have intensified the political war of words in Himachal Pradesh as the state prepares for panchayat and urban local body elections. The BJP has positioned itself as a watchdog against any alleged misuse of power by the ruling Congress.
