Daijiworld Media Network - Shimla

Shimla, Mar 10: The BJP on Sunday accused the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh of evading crucial discussions ahead of the 16-day budget session, set to commence on Monday. The allegation was made during the Legislature Party meeting, chaired by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma stated that the BJP would corner the government on key issues, including the governor’s address and the Budget discussion. He emphasized that the party would highlight the government’s failures, anti-people decisions, and corruption during the session.

Sharma pointed out that economic bankruptcy remains a major concern in the state, particularly regarding salaries, pensions, and welfare funds for the elderly. “The financial condition of Himachal Pradesh is so dire that even funds from the Centre are being used to pay salaries and pensions,” he alleged.

Blaming Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for the crisis, he said, “As the Finance Minister of the state, he is solely responsible for the current economic turmoil.” He also criticized the government for extravagant expenditures, stating that crores of rupees were being spent to enhance ministerial prestige and sustain legal battles over the membership of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS).

Further, Sharma accused the government of deliberately shortening Assembly sessions to avoid accountability. “Earlier, Budget sessions had 26 meetings; now, they have been reduced to just 16. Even the winter session was curtailed to four days,” he said.

Raising concerns over law and order and rising drug addiction, Sharma asserted that the Opposition would put the Congress government on the defensive. He also hinted at potential protests outside the Assembly, stating that the BJP would decide on its course of action in an upcoming party meeting.