Jairam Thakur Says Sukhu Govt’s “Election Obstruction” Fails Again
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HC Rejects 5% Reservation Move
Mandi, April 6: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur welcomed the High Court’s decision to quash the state government’s move to grant a 5% quota in the reservation roster, calling it another setback for the Sukhu-led government over panchayat elections.
In a statement issued from Mandi, Thakur alleged that the Congress government has repeatedly attempted to interfere with the panchayat election process but has faced setbacks in court each time. He said the High Court has now ordered the issuance of a fresh roster, rejecting what he termed an “unconstitutional decision.”
Thakur claimed that the BJP had opposed the move from the very beginning, warning that it violated Article 243(d) of the Constitution. “Had the Chief Minister heeded our concerns in the Assembly, the government would not have faced embarrassment in court today,” he remarked.
Accusing the government of deliberately delaying elections, Thakur said multiple attempts were made to disrupt the process—ranging from influencing officials to invoking disaster management provisions to postpone polls. He also alleged arbitrary transfers of State Election Commission officials and interference in its functioning.
He further stated that the High Court had earlier directed the state to conduct elections by April 30, while the Supreme Court later extended the deadline to May 31, questioning the government’s stance on delaying elections despite continuing other activities.
Thakur added that previous decisions related to delimitation and electoral rolls had also been struck down by courts, reinforcing concerns over the government’s intent.
He concluded by alleging that the government’s actions reflect a lack of constitutional commitment and accused it of repeatedly attempting to hinder the democratic process.
