Shimla: The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, finds itself in an embarrassing spot after Public Works Department (PWD) minister Vikramaditya Singh blamed alleged illegal mining for the damage caused by the floods along the Beas river in Kullu district.
Heavy rains have lashed the state for over a week, leading to landslides and flash floods.
Vikramaditya, who is a two-time legislator and the son of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, while addressing the media Thursday said, “This cannot be only blamed on God or nature. River changed its course due to banks damaged by illegal mining. One may like it or not, but it’s the truth. I am sure, CM is aware of it.”
He added: “I will take up this matter with the Governor, CM, Industry minister and even raise it in the Vidhan Sabha.”
The PWD minister’s remarks did not go down well with his cabinet colleagues, who are said to be mostly loyal to Sukhu.
Industry minister Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan Friday dismissed Vikramaditya’s allegations as “childish” and told the media that there was no illegal mining in the state.
Sukhu’s cabinet has seven ministers, including deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Barring Agnihotri, all others are said to be loyal to Sukhu. While none of the cabinet colleagues, except Chauhan, have yet made any public comment against Vikramaditya’s remark, they were surprised by his stand, party sources told ThePrint.
The chief minister, too, avoided a question on the issue during a press meeting Friday.
However, one of the ministers, requesting anonymity, told ThePrint, “Vikramaditya is doing this to stay in the news, and is projecting himself like Virbhadra Singh”, a view echoed by political analyst M.P.S. Rana, who said Vikramaditya was “trying to step in his father’s shoe”.
The former CM is said to have often taken a stand against party-lines, something which contributed to his popularity.
Meanwhile, Congress office-bearers too have so far avoided commenting on Vikramaditya’s remark.
A senior party leader told ThePrint, “Vikramaditya’s statement gives the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chance to attack the government. It also sends a wrong message to the party cadre.”
Social media users, however, have praised the Himachal Pradesh minister for speaking the “truth” and allegedly exposing the corruption in his own government.
सच को सच बोलने कि हिम्मत होनी चाहिये सर आपने जो कहा 100%सही है मुख्यमंत्री आपको ही होना था
— MANOJ PATEL (@ManojMp235992) July 15, 2023
“First minister who is speaking fearlessly on this subject. Rivers are not for mining. @VikramadityaINC Thank you,” tweeted another user Ramesh Pathania.
Past instances of dissent
This is not the first time that Vikramaditya Singh has taken a different stand from his party or government. He had earlier voiced support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) when the Congress at the national level is undecided on its position.
Though he later vouched to toe the party line, the minister added that if the UCC was for the unity and integrity of the nation and not against any community, even the Congress would support it.
Last month, when Congress spokespersons were critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US, Vikramaditya posted a photo of Modi’s visit on social media.
In a Facebook post on 23 June, he wrote, “This is a proud moment for us being an Indian. Political ideology is a different issue but we are united for India’s unity and strength on the international platform.”
After the Maharashtra episode, however, where a section of Nationalist Congress Party MLAs, led by party chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government earlier this month, Vikramaditya Singh cautioned the BJP not to try it in Himachal Pradesh.
Responding to a media query on 5 July, he said, “Things in Himachal are different. Congress is united and the state government under the leadership of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is committed to development.”
Speaking to ThePrint about Vikramaditya’s “illegal mining” comment, Rana said, “One has to understand the psychology of the Congress workers and supporters. For the past 40 years, there was one Virbhadra Singh and he was known for taking a stance, be it far from the party line. Not only Congressmen, but common Himachali used to like him for his style of politics. Vikramaditya Singh is trying to step in father’s shoes and people like it.”
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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