Shimla:
Senior BJP spokesperson and former Sujanpur MLA Rajendra Rana on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the state government over the Rajya Sabha elections, alleging that serious questions have arisen regarding the selection of the Congress candidate.
Rana said the situation in Himachal Pradesh has reached a stage where the state is facing both an economic emergency and a political emergency. He alleged that the person holding the reins of power appears willing to go to any extent to retain his position.
He claimed that since the formation of the government under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, several Congress MLAs, cabinet ministers, women, youth, pensioners, employees, businessmen and even journalists have expressed dissatisfaction. According to Rana, the Chief Minister’s functioning has become so authoritarian that even senior national-level Congress leaders are feeling uncomfortable.
Targeting the Congress candidate for the recently announced Rajya Sabha elections, Anurag Sharma, Rana said attempts are being made to project him as a “common worker,” while in reality he has allegedly received government tenders worth crores during the last two years. He added that the disclosure of Sharma’s assets, multiple vehicles and financial holdings has raised further questions.
Rana demanded that the Chief Minister should clearly explain when and for how much money a deal was allegedly struck in Dubai regarding the Rajya Sabha seat, calling it a serious matter that has put the government under scrutiny.
He further alleged that party workers who built the Congress organisation with hard work have been sidelined, while the state is being run by what he termed a “friends’ government,” where close associates are being benefitted and dedicated workers are being ignored.
Rana said the people of Himachal Pradesh are watching the developments closely and will give their response at the appropriate time.
