|
The Revenue and Horticulture Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi refuted the allegations made by Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, accusing him of fabricating baseless stories to mislead the public. Thakur had alleged that the Congress government spent Rs 25 crore to celebrate two years in office while over 10,000 outsourced employees were dismissed, and many others had not received salaries for four months.
Negi dismissed these claims as unfounded, stating, "I challenge Jairam ji to first account for the Rs 25 crore he claims we spent. He is an expert in making baseless claims. During his tenure, he organized grand events under the guise of celebrations, like the Janmashtami events, which were nothing but lavish feasts, costing lakhs of rupees. Even the tents were brought in from Haryana, and the publicity machinery was hired from outside the state.". Highlighting what he called the BJP's hypocrisy, Negi pointed to the extravagance of the previous BJP government during events like the "Investors' Meet." He claimed that over Rs 100 crore of public money was wasted on the event, including Rs 18 crore spent on installing tents. "This was nothing but sheer wastage of public funds. We, on the other hand, celebrated with minimal expenditure, focused on our achievements," Negi stated. He also accused Jairam Thakur of attempting to topple the current government using "money power" and central investigative agencies like the ED and CBI. "Jairam Ji attempted to buy legislators and overthrow the government but failed. The celebration of two years in office was not just about our tenure but also about protecting the Constitution and democracy," Negi remarked. Negi also strongly denied allegations of "Selling the State". He countered Jairam Thakur's claims that the Congress government was "selling the state" by allocating land under Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act. He explained that the land allocations complied with legal provisions to promote tourism and development. "Did Himachal Pradesh go up for sale when you [BJP] allotted land under Section 118? No. Then how is it different now? Unlike your tenure, we have not allocated land illegally," Negi asserted. He further accused Thakur of undervaluing public assets, referencing the sale of an HPTDC hotel funded by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank for Rs 70 crore to Club Mahindra at throwaway prices. "Was that not a case of putting Himachal on sale?" he questioned. Negi expressed serious concerns over the BJP's push for "One Nation, One Election," questioning its intent and feasibility. He accused the BJP of using the idea as a tool to destabilize governments through financial and political power. "What is the point of simultaneous elections if the goal is to buy governments? What value does democracy hold then?" he added. Negi highlighted the potential risks to democracy and the Constitution, stating, "The BJP is the biggest threat to democracy and the Constitution in this country. They do not believe in inclusivity or federalism. They aim to centralize power, which is detrimental to India's federal structure." he said. He further pointed out the impracticality of simultaneous elections, citing ongoing unrest in the Northeast, farmers' protests, and deteriorating law and order. "How can you conduct 'One Nation, One Election' when the country is grappling with internal conflicts? The BJP's narrative is flawed and dangerous for democracy," he said. Negi accused the BJP-led central government of discriminating against non-BJP-ruled states, including Kerala, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. He claimed that funds previously allocated as central assistance are now tied to centrally sponsored schemes, leaving states without direct financial aid. "This is a severe blow to democracy and the federal structure of India. If the BJP wants to keep India united from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, they must treat all states equally," Negi said. Negi alleged that the BJP resorts to communal and polarizing tactics during elections to divert public attention. "Whenever elections approach, they revive issues like Ram Mandir or search for temples under mosques. They have money to buy votes but lack the resources to strengthen democracy," he stated. Showing concerns over the ruckus in the Rajya Sabha and also on the role of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.He also criticized the BJP for undermining democratic institutions, pointing to the lack of proper debate and functioning in Parliament. "Every day, democracy weakens under the BJP's rule. Do they want to run the country like a school?" Negi questioned. On two years of the Congress regime in HP and the challenges they faced, Nagi said that the BJP tried its all efforts to destabilize the Congress government in the state. "Our celebration of two years was not just about achievements; it was about preserving democracy and the Constitution. The BJP cannot claim to stand for democracy while systematically undermining it," Negi added further. (ANI)
|
