Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday launched a sharp offensive against the Congress government, alleging that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was “compromised” and functioning like a “puppet in the hands of bureaucrats.”
Addressing the controversy surrounding the regularisation of Acting Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, Thakur questioned the timing of the decision, pointing out that the matter is already under judicial scrutiny in the Himachal Pradesh High Court through a pending Public Interest Litigation in which notices have been issued to the state government.
He alleged that the move exposed the government’s intent despite serious questions being raised over the officer’s continuation in the top post.
The BJP leader further claimed that the officer was facing multiple FIRs under the Prevention of Corruption Act and had been linked to the Chester Hills benami property case. Instead of acting on these allegations, he said, the government was “protecting and promoting” him.
Thakur also levelled political allegations, claiming that certain “sensitive information” involving Congress leaders and their close associates was known to select officers, which, he alleged, explained the government’s stance. He accused the Chief Minister of pushing post-retirement extensions and reappointments for officers facing serious charges.
Shifting focus to national issues, Thakur praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisions on India’s water security, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor.
He highlighted two major Centre-approved tunnel projects worth ₹2,620 crore aimed at river-linking and water diversion — the ₹2,352 crore Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel in Lahaul-Spiti and a ₹268 crore sediment-bypass tunnel at Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir — claiming they would boost hydropower generation and benefit multiple northern states.
On the political front, Thakur thanked voters for what he described as strong backing for the BJP in the first phase of Panchayati Raj elections, claiming significant wins in Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls and calling it a reflection of public dissatisfaction with the Congress government.
He also alleged that some administrative officers influenced the electoral process under political pressure, though polling across the state remained largely peaceful, with only isolated complaints reported.
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