Like father, like son? PWD minister Vikramaditya puts Himachal Congress in a spot with ‘illegal mining’ remark

He added: “I’ll take up this matter with the Governor, CM, Trade minister and even elevate it within the Vidhan Sabha.”

The PWD minister’s remarks didn’t go down nicely along with his cupboard colleagues, who’re stated to be largely loyal to Sukhu.

Trade minister Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan Friday dismissed Vikramaditya’s allegations as “infantile” and advised the media that there was no unlawful mining within the state.

Sukhu’s cupboard has seven ministers, together with deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Barring Agnihotri, all others are stated to be loyal to Sukhu. Whereas not one of the cupboard colleagues, besides Chauhan, have but made any public remark towards Vikramaditya’s comment, they had been stunned by his stand, social gathering sources advised ThePrint.

The chief minister, too, averted a query on the difficulty throughout a press assembly Friday.

Nonetheless, one of many ministers, requesting anonymity, advised ThePrint, “Vikramaditya is doing this to remain within the information, and is projecting himself like Virbhadra Singh”, a view echoed by political analyst M.P.S. Rana, who stated Vikramaditya was “making an attempt to step in his father’s shoe”.

The previous CM is claimed to have usually taken a stand towards party-lines, one thing which contributed to his recognition.

In the meantime, Congress office-bearers too have to date averted commenting on Vikramaditya’s comment.

A senior social gathering chief advised ThePrint, “Vikramaditya’s assertion offers the Bharatiya Janata Get together (BJP) an opportunity to assault the federal government. It additionally sends a incorrect message to the social gathering cadre.”

Social media customers, nonetheless, have praised the Himachal Pradesh minister for talking the “reality” and allegedly exposing the corruption in his personal authorities.

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“First minister who’s talking fearlessly on this topic. Rivers should not for mining. @VikramadityaINC Thanks,” tweeted one other person Ramesh Pathania.

Additionally Learn: 60,000 evacuated from rain-hit Himachal, 10,000 nonetheless caught in Kasol, Tirthan Valley: CM Sukhvinder Sukhu

Previous cases of dissent

This isn’t the primary time that Vikramaditya Singh has taken a distinct stand from his social gathering or authorities. He had earlier voiced help for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) when the Congress on the nationwide stage is undecided on its place.

Although he later vouched to toe the social gathering line, the minister added that if the UCC was for the unity and integrity of the nation and never towards any neighborhood, even the Congress would help it.

Final month, when Congress spokespersons had been important of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state go to to the US, Vikramaditya posted a photograph of Modi’s go to on social media.

In a Fb submit on 23 June, he wrote, “It is a proud second for us being an Indian. Political ideology is a distinct challenge however we’re united for India’s unity and power on the worldwide platform.”

After the Maharashtra episode, nonetheless, the place a bit of Nationalist Congress Get together MLAs, led by social gathering chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP authorities earlier this month, Vikramaditya Singh cautioned the BJP to not attempt it in Himachal Pradesh.

Responding to a media question on 5 July, he stated, “Issues in Himachal are completely different. Congress is united and the state authorities beneath the management of Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is dedicated to growth.”

Chatting with ThePrint about Vikramaditya’s “unlawful mining” remark, Rana stated, “One has to know the psychology of the Congress employees and supporters. For the previous 40 years, there was one Virbhadra Singh and he was identified for taking a stance, be it removed from the social gathering line. Not solely Congressmen, however widespread Himachali used to love him for his fashion of politics. Vikramaditya Singh is making an attempt to step in father’s footwear and other people prefer it.”

(Edited by Richa Mishra)

Additionally Learn: Six months in, Sukhu-led Congress govt in Himachal faces a grim fiscal outlook