BJP Targets Sukhu Government Over ‘Poll-Time Populism’ Amid Congress Protest on Fuel Prices
Shimla, May 25: Even as the Himachal Pradesh Congress has been staging protests against the Narendra Modi-led NDA government over the recent hike in fuel prices, the opposition BJP on Monday turned the tables on the state government, accusing it of using “poll-time freebies and announcements” to influence ongoing Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections in the state.
As voters in villages and local bodies head to the polls, both the Congress and the BJP appear to be positioning themselves as benefactors of the common people in a bid to influence the electorate ahead of the Panchayat elections, which conclude on May 30.
In a strongly worded memorandum submitted to the Governor, BJP state president Rajeev Bindal alleged that the Congress government headed by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was “misusing administrative machinery, manipulating democratic processes and violating the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct” during the ongoing civic and panchayat polls.
The BJP attack comes at a politically sensitive time for the ruling Congress, which has been aggressively targeting the Centre over rising petrol and diesel prices.
The saffron party, however, accused the state government of indulging in its own brand of “electoral appeasement” by announcing jobs, honorarium hikes, administrative restructuring and welfare benefits while the Model Code of Conduct is in force.
The memorandum specifically questioned the May 22 cabinet meeting convened by the state government during the election process, claiming several decisions were aimed at influencing voters.
These included approval for 2,215 posts in various departments, recruitment of 1,500 teachers in government CBSE schools, increase in honorariums for mid-day meal workers, tailoring instructors and multi-task workers, extension of retirement age of medical college professors, and changes in welfare schemes like the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Yojana.
The BJP also objected to decisions regarding creation and review of administrative units, opening of a new SDM office at Pragpur, and constitution of a commission to reorganize sub-divisions, tehsils and development blocks during the election period. The party alleged these moves could politically influence local voters and administrative setups.
In the memorandum, the BJP further claimed there were attempts to alter rules and notifications related to election procedures for chairperson and vice-chairperson posts in local bodies after the poll process had begun, calling it “a direct assault on democratic traditions.”
Citing constitutional provisions under Articles 243-U and 243-ZA, along with observations made in court proceedings related to local body elections, the BJP demanded an immediate review of all cabinet decisions taken during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and sought a stay on their implementation until elections conclude.
The latest confrontation has further intensified Himachal Pradesh’s political battle, with the BJP trying to blunt the Congress campaign over fuel price rise.
The party accused the Sukhu government of using welfare announcements and administrative decisions to secure electoral advantage during the grassroots polls.
