Shimla, Aug 24 (PTI) Reacting sharply to the BJP’s ‘attache’ (suitcase) protest in the Vidhan Sabha complex on Monday, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu accused the party of corruption, horse-trading of MLAs, and attempting to distract the public from real issues.
Earlier in the day, before the third session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha began, BJP MLAs displayed an attache case as a symbol of corruption.
This was in reference to allegations against former chief parliamentary secretary Neeraj Bharti from the Congress government, who claimed that “three attache cases were sent to Delhi and two to the chief minister’s office.” Bharti has since been expelled from the Congress due to the controversy.
Talking to the media here, Sukhu said that the BJP has pioneered ‘suitcase politics,’ yet the same individuals are now staging dramas over corruption issues.
He emphasised that during the Congress government’s tenure, no allegations of corruption were made against any minister or cabinet member. He accused the BJP of trying to undermine the political climate with unfounded claims.
Sukhu expressed surprise at seeing BJP leaders protest with briefcases in the Assembly complex. He pointed out that discussions of suitcases emerged in state politics when six Congress MLAs and three independent MLAs were in contact with the BJP, particularly regarding cross-voting during the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections.
“Today, the BJP carries empty briefcases, signalling a desire to fill them. However, the people of the state are fully aware of the reality,” he said.
The chief minister stated that those now preaching honesty are historically the same individuals who have engaged in politics driven by power and money.
Alleging that the BJP has looted the state’s resources and misused its power, Sukhu assured that the Congress government is committed to protecting the state’s wealth and will not compromise the public’s interests.
Further accusing the BJP of misusing central investigative agencies, he mentioned that actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against his supporters during the assembly elections included investigations into his brother’s land holdings, yet the Congress has remained resilient under pressure.
Sukhu noted that the need for “suitcases” arises only for those involved in scams. He added that the Congress government has initiated investigations into irregularities related to ‘Himcare,’ liquor contracts, and other issues, causing discomfort to certain individuals.
He pledged that actions against corruption would persist, with further facts to be shared with the public in the near future.
Sukhu claimed that the names of the leaders currently facing investigation or action were also listed in the BJP’s 2017 charge sheet. He asserted that the BJP appears to be defending individuals it had previously accused, and maintained that the government is taking action based solely on facts and evidence, without any political vendetta.
The chief minister accused the BJP of engaging in “suitcase politics” to divert attention from critical issues like rising inflation and the soaring prices of onions and sugar, which affect both the state and the country.
“If BJP leaders were to fill their suitcases with onions or sugar and distribute them to the public, it would provide some relief,” he said.
When asked about his recent meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sukhu clarified that there was no specific discussion regarding cabinet expansion or any political reshuffle.
Congress and BJP MLAs held separate demonstrations in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Complex before the session commenced on the third day on Monday.
Legislators of both parties raised slogans against each other.
The BJP alleged rampant corruption in the Congress government over the last 44 months, while the Congress accused the opposition of running away from discussions on inflation, Ram Mandir donation theft, paper leaks, and disrupting the proceedings. PTI BPL MPL MPL
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