Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised the Himachal Pradesh government’s decision to relocate the Jal Shakti Department’s Executive Engineer-in-Chief (Project) office from Mandi to Fatehpur in Kangra district, alleging political vendetta.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that BJP chief spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of targeting Mandi district with this move. Jamwal asserted that there was no administrative rationale behind shifting an office that had been operating effectively in Mandi for several years. He suggested the decision was a retaliatory measure following the Congress party’s recent electoral setbacks in Mandi’s municipal, district council, and Panchayati Raj elections, where the BJP claims to have secured a majority.
Jamwal further elaborated on his allegations, stating that the Chief Minister had made numerous development promises during the municipal campaign, including financial incentives for winning Congress councillors. However, he claimed that voters overwhelmingly rejected the Congress party, indicating public dissatisfaction with the administration.
According to Jamwal, the outcomes of successive elections reflect a widespread public sentiment against the current government. He accused the administration of stalling development initiatives, de-notifying established institutions, and closing offices over the past three and a half years. The BJP spokesperson also pointed to administrative failures, rising unemployment figures, alleged financial mismanagement, and a perceived worsening of the law and order situation as significant shortcomings of the ruling regime.
The BJP leader warned that the party would resort to protests if the decision to shift the Jal Shakti office was not reversed. He expressed confidence that the recent local body election results served as a precursor to the upcoming state Assembly elections. Jamwal projected that the BJP would form the next government with a clear majority if the current political trends persist, emphasizing the importance of respecting the public mandate.
The relocation of the Jal Shakti office has become a focal point of political contention in Himachal Pradesh, with the opposition party accusing the state government of making administrative decisions based on political retribution rather than developmental needs. The BJP maintains that such actions undermine public trust and ignore the administrative requirements of the districts affected.
The move by the state government impacts the functioning of a key department responsible for water resources and development projects. The Executive Engineer-in-Chief (Project) office plays a crucial role in overseeing and implementing various water supply schemes and irrigation projects across the region. Its shift from Mandi, a central district, to Fatehpur in Kangra, has raised questions about accessibility and logistical implications for stakeholders and project implementation in the broader Mandi division.
Political analysts suggest that such decisions often become contentious in the lead-up to general elections, as parties seek to consolidate their support base and highlight perceived failures of their opponents. The BJP’s strong reaction underscores the intensity of political competition in the state, with both parties gearing up for future electoral contests. The shifting of government offices, particularly those involved in development, can have significant implications for regional development and resource allocation, making it a sensitive issue for local populations and political parties.
The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhu, has not yet issued a detailed statement addressing the specific accusations made by the BJP spokesperson regarding political vendetta. However, such administrative decisions are typically based on stated government objectives, which often include decentralisation of services, better resource management, or regional development strategies. The opposition’s challenge, however, forces a public discourse on the underlying reasons and potential impacts of such administrative realignments. The debate over the Jal Shakti office’s relocation is likely to continue as political parties engage in their pre-election campaigning and strategising in the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk