Shimla, May 22
Rajeev Bindal, president of the Himachal Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, on Thursday accused the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of attempting to “hijack” the municipal body and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) in the state. Addressing the media in Shimla, Bindal alleged that the Congress government was trying to alter election rules midway through the process after being “rattled” by the BJP’s strong performance in the recently concluded municipal elections.
He claimed that the state government was preparing to issue new rules and notifications to influence the election of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in local bodies. According to Bindal, changing the rules during an ongoing election process amounts to an attack on democracy and the Constitution.
“The attempt to manipulate constitutional provisions and suppress the people’s mandate will not be accepted by the BJP under any circumstances,” he said.
Bindal further alleged that the Congress government was using fear, intimidation, and money power to pressure elected representatives into supporting its candidates. He described the alleged actions as contrary to the democratic traditions and values of Himachal Pradesh.
Accusing the ruling party of misusing government machinery to retain power, the BJP leader said the public had become disillusioned with the Congress government’s policies and governance style.
He also warned that the BJP would launch a statewide agitation if the government attempted to interfere with the election process or undermine the public mandate.
“The BJP will fight at every level to protect democracy and the rights of the people,” Bindal said, adding that the party was prepared to protest “from the streets to the Assembly” if necessary.
