Congress, BJP spar over ‘Rs 50 crore’ claim in Dharamshala

Spread the news

Congress and BJP trade allegations over MLA’s residence, office costs and Dharamshala development

Dharamshala, September 24

Political tensions between the Congress and BJP escalated in Dharamshala on Thursday, with both sides trading allegations over local MLA Sudhir Sharma’s residence, the cost of a government office in Shimla, and pending development projects in the constituency.

Former Dharamshala mayor and Congress leader Devendra Jaggi criticised Sharma, questioning his statements about the expenditure on the government office in Shimla and his residence.

Jaggi claimed that around Rs 20 crore had been spent on the government office and alleged that Sharma was wrongly putting its cost at around Rs 50 crore. He also said the MLA should apologise to the people of Dharamshala and Congress workers.

Jaggi further criticised BJP leaders for focusing on the office and other political issues instead of discussing broader development concerns in Himachal Pradesh. He referred to the Kishau Multipurpose Project, revenue from the Wildflower Hall hotel and various state schemes.

The BJP hit back through Rural BJP Mandal, Dharamshala, General Secretary Shubham Sood, who defended Sharma and accused Jaggi of making baseless statements. Sood said BJP workers would continue to raise issues concerning Dharamshala and demand accountability from the government on development matters.

Sood also raised the issue of the Central University, saying around Rs 30 crore in funds remained pending and should be released as soon as possible. He also questioned the availability of medicines at Tanda Medical College and called for attention to healthcare facilities.

On Sharma’s residence, Sood said the MLA maintained it was constructed with his own income and that he had already submitted documents to the Vigilance department.

Sood, in turn, questioned Jaggi’s assets and demanded that he make the relevant property documents public. He claimed the BJP had information concerning Jaggi and his associates and said it would be made public soon.

The exchange has added to the political confrontation in Dharamshala, with both parties raising questions over development, public spending, healthcare and accountability.