Government Misleading People Over Panchayat Elections, Says Jairam Thakur
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“If You Can’t Hold Elections on Time, Admit Your Failure,” Thakur Challenges CM Sukhu
Shimla, October 23 — Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, accused the Himachal Pradesh government of misleading the public over the upcoming Panchayat elections. In a strongly worded statement issued from Shimla, Thakur said that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his cabinet are confusing the people by making contradictory statements regarding the election schedule.
He questioned, “If the government truly intends to hold elections on time, why has the reservation roster not been issued yet?” Citing the High Court’s directive that mandates the publication of the reservation roster at least 90 days before the commencement of the election process, Thakur alleged that the administration has failed to comply with these legal obligations.
According to Thakur, the Panchayati Raj Secretary had instructed all District Commissioners to release the reservation roster by September 25, but none complied. Instead, he claimed, the DCs wrote to the government suggesting election postponement — and the Chief Secretary acted swiftly to support that request. “Now the CM and ministers are saying elections will happen on time — but how, without a roster?” he asked.
Thakur accused the government of deliberately delaying the process to avoid accountability and potentially violating court orders, referencing the Manish Dharmek vs. State of Himachal Pradesh case, which clearly states that the roster must be issued 90 days before elections to allow for objections and appeals.
“The so-called ‘Vyavastha Parivartan’ government seems either helpless before its officers or playing a bigger game behind the scenes,” Thakur remarked sarcastically.
Calling CM Sukhu a “master of deceit,” Thakur said, “Instead of spreading lies, the Chief Minister should speak the truth. If he cannot conduct elections on time, he should have the courage to admit his government’s failure.”
Thakur concluded by urging the government to uphold the dignity of the Chief Minister’s office, stop evading responsibility, and conduct the Panchayat elections promptly and transparently in accordance with the High Court’s orders.
