It is politics 'First' than 'Responsibility' and Solidarity For Nation as far as PM appeal to citizens is concerned. Gov Gupta Follows, but HP CM Sukhu Sulks
SHIMLA: As the shadow of the Middle-East war deepens and Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls for austerity, fuel conservation and restraint in non-essential imports like gold, a political war has broken out in Himachal Pradesh instead of a united message of national responsibility.
While BJP-ruled Himalayan states have rushed to announce convoy cuts, fuel-saving measures and restrictions on official extravagance, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh appears more focused on municipal poll campaigning than wartime caution.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu defended himself by claiming that Himachal had already promoted electric vehicles and that he himself had shifted to EV use much before the Prime Minister’s latest appeal.
But beyond symbolic references to EVs, the state government has issued no major advisory on fuel conservation, LPG savings, reduction in official travel or public transport promotion.
Ironically, at a time when the Centre is asking citizens to tighten belts amid global uncertainty, political posturing continue to dominate the hills.
The Chief Minister remains busy crisscrossing Solan, Mandi, Dharamshala and Palampur for Congress municipal campaigns, with long political roadshows and government machinery still moving in full swing.
So is case with leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, President Rajiv Bindal and others as they have not taken potshots at Sukhu’s snub at Gold restraint announced by PM.
In sharp contrast, Himachal Governor KavinderGupta , has been publicly urging citizens to conserve fuel, cut unnecessary expenditure and adopt restraint during the international crisis.
Raj Bhavan has projected a message of caution and austerity while the elected government has largely maintained business as usual.
The contrast has become politically glaring.
Across BJP-ruled states, leaders have moved swiftly to align themselves with the Prime Minister’s appeal. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced cuts in government convoys, restrictions on vehicle fleets and appeals for greater use of public transport.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma went further, announcing a 25 percent reduction in convoys for the Governor, Chief Minister and ministers besides freezing purchase of new government vehicles for six months.
But in Himachal Pradesh, no such roadmap has emerged.
The political flashpoint intensified after the Prime Minister appealed to citizens to avoid unnecessary gold purchases during the global economic turbulence, warning that excessive gold imports put pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves at a time of geopolitical instability.
Instead of explaining the economic logic behind the appeal, the Himachal Chief Minister brushed it aside with political remarks, inviting criticism from economists and opposition leaders alike.
Critics say the Congress government failed to grasp the larger economic implications of oil shocks, currency pressure and import dependency during wartime conditions.
They argue that the issue is no longer about BJP versus Congress but about whether states are willing to send a collective message of discipline during a volatile global crisis.
Political observers say Himachal today presents two parallel power centres — a Governor speaking the language of restraint and national preparedness, and a government still trapped in election mode.
As fuel prices remain vulnerable, tourism traffic surges and municipal elections heat up, Himachal Pradesh continues without any major austerity advisory on LPG use, fuel consumption or reduction in official movement — exposing what critics describe as “politics first, responsibility later.”
