Shimla, Jun 26 (PTI) The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is systematically misusing the government machinery to influence the outcome of panchayati raj and urban local body elections held recently, said state BJP chief Rajeev Bindal and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday.
In a joint statement issued here on Friday, they alleged that false cases are being registered against BJP-backed elected councillors and representatives, while members of block development committees (BDCs) and other elected bodies are being threatened and pressured through the misuse of administrative authority and political influence to alter the democratic mandate.
They further said that elections for the posts of chairpersons and vice chairpersons in zila Parishads, BDCs and municipal councils should have been completed by now. However, the Congress government is deliberately delaying the announcement of election dates to facilitate horse-trading and manipulate the elected representatives, they alleged.
The elections to 51 urban local bodies including four municipal corporations, 25 municipal councils and 22 nagar panchayats were held on May 17 while the elections to 3,754 gram panchayats were held in three phases on May 26, 28 and 30.
Bindal and Thakur said the BJP has repeatedly urged the government and the administration to announce the election schedule but no action has been taken. They alleged that the administration is functioning under political pressure and is undermining democratic institutions.
Condemning what they described as an attack on democracy, the BJP announced that it will hold symbolic protests at the offices of deputy commissioners across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday to press for their demand for the immediate announcement of election dates for the chairperson and vice chairperson posts.
The BJP leaders warned that if the government continued to “delay” the democratic process and “failed to stop attempts at political manipulation and horse-trading”, the party will launch a statewide public agitation.
They said the Congress government would be solely responsible for any such escalation. PTI BPL KSS KSS
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