HP's Deputy CM Agnihotri Unveils Late Virbhadra Singh's First-ever Statue in Sainj as a Tribute to an 'Architect of Modern Himachal', Adds a New Twist to Congress Politics in the State

: Category: Latest; Published: 22 June 2023

KuldeepChauhan,Editor-in-Chief,HimbuMail

DCM Agnihotri, Vikramaditya, Pratibha,Rathour,Bragta,Lal at Status of Virbhadra Singh at Sainj in HImachal

Sainj(Shimla) - In a momentous celebration of the late Virbhadra Singh's remarkable contributions, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri unveiled the first-ever statue of the six-time former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh in Sainj here, a meeting point of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Kinnaur districts .

Agnihotri addressed the gathering, shedding light on Singh's instrumental role in shaping modern Himachal Pradesh.

Interestingly, it was Agnihotri, a longtime supporter of Late Virbhadra Singh, who unveiled the first-ever statue of Virbhadra, not Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, his known opponent.

The story has added a new political twist in an ongoing power struggle in Himachal Congress as ceremony was attended by Mandi MP and wife of Virbhadra Singh Pratibha Singh, four other MLAs including PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh(Shimla Rural), who is son of Late Virbhadra Singh, former Congress President Kuldeep Singh Rathour from Theog, CPS Mohal Lal Brakta from Rohru and Nand Lal from Rampur.

They all are considered to be from the “Virbhadra Singh camp”. On the other, Education Minister Rohit Thakur(Jubbal and Kotkhai) and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh(MLA Kasumpti), both supporter of CM Sukhu, also remained conspicuous by their absence in the event.

Agnihotri commended Virbhadra Singh's dedication to education and healthcare, emphasizing his inclusive approach to politics that transcended regionalism and casteism.

The unveiling of the statue held immense significance, as Virbhadra Singh is widely regarded as the visionary behind the state's transformation.

This statue, a lasting testament to his exceptional legacy, will be followed by installations in various locations across Himachal Pradesh.

Agnihotri announced the forthcoming inauguration of the Kumarsain bus stand, scheduled to take place within a month.

Furthermore, he allocated a Rs. 13 crore for the construction of the Theog Bus Stand that will be ready soon.

In an effort to uplift the region, Agnihotri instructed officials to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a lift irrigation scheme, utilizing water from the Nirath Dam.

This ambitious project aims to benefit 28 panchayats in the Theog assembly constituency, further solidifying Singh's commitment to the welfare of the people.

Continuing his promises of progress, Agnihotri revealed plans to replace 500 buses this year. In addition, he announced the release of Rs. 13 crore for the Kurpan drinking water scheme, ensuring that residents will have access to clean and safe drinking water by the following year.

Notably, Vikramaditya Singh pledged to establish an educational institution in honour of the late Virbhadra Singh. This initiative will contribute to the fields of education and studies, carrying forward the legacy of Virbhadra Singh who devoted his life to serving people.

Mandi MP and State Congress President Pratibha Singh said the legacy of "raja Sahib" will last for long as it was under his vision and leadership that Himachal attained new heights of development,

Accompanying Agnihotri and Vikramaditya Singh were CPS Mohan Lal Brakta, Theog MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Rampur MLA Nand Lal, President Zilla Parishad Chandra Prabha Negi, President of Himachal Welfare Foundation Atul Sharma, and several other officials and representatives.

Vikramaditya Singh revealed that Himachal Pradesh will get Rs. 2800 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, primarily dedicated to road repairs.

This significant funding will cover a vast network of roads, encompassing a total distance of 2400 kilometers, including crucial routes such as Kumarsain and Fagu-Chiog-Sainj.

Adding an altruistic touch to the event, the statue unveiling ceremony was accompanied by a blood donation camp and captivating cultural presentations by various Mahila Mandals, exemplifying the spirit of community service cherished by Virbhadra Singh throughout his life.

0

Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Insta Email Print

Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

Top News

Motive

The mainstream media houses dominated by the city- centric editors have been indifferent to the problems and issues faced by the Himalayan people down the centuries. HimbuMail is born to fill this gap and seeks to become their real voice.

News Coverage

City Explore

💰 Donate TO Us !

Donate Now »

Why Donate ?

HimbuMail is new web newsepaper and is being run on no-profit basis by professionals, who need financial support for sustainable operation of the web news portal.

your support is Supreme!