Shimla, May 25
The Himachal Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday accused the state government of interfering in the democratic process and violating the model code of conduct during the ongoing municipal and Panchayati Raj elections.
A BJP delegation met Governor Kavinder Gupta at Raj Bhavan in Shimla and submitted a memorandum alleging misuse of administrative machinery and political influence during the election period. The delegation included Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, state BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal and several senior party leaders.
Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Jairam Thakur alleged that the Congress government was trying to influence and control the local body elections. He claimed that pressure was being exerted through the administrative system to affect electoral outcomes, which he said was against democratic principles.
He further alleged that even after the model code of conduct came into force, the state cabinet continued to take decisions that could influence voters in panchayat and municipal elections. According to him, the government made policy announcements and administrative approvals during a sensitive phase of the election process.
State BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal also accused the government of misusing official machinery and weakening democratic institutions. He alleged that changes in procedures related to the election of chairpersons and vice chairpersons were aimed at influencing the results, which he described as contrary to the spirit of free and fair elections.
Bindal also questioned a cabinet meeting held on May 22 during the period when the model code of conduct was in force. He claimed that several major decisions were approved during the meeting, including changes to the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Scheme, approval for 2,215 posts, recruitment of 1,500 teachers, revision of honorarium rates and restructuring of administrative units. He alleged that such decisions could directly impact voters as well as government employees during the elections.
