Himachal Congress Defends Vigilance Probes and Challenges BJP Leadership

Chauhan, serving as Principal Media Advisor to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, insisted that individuals with clean records have no cause for alarm regarding state investigations. He characterized the BJP’s criticism as a predictable political maneuver, noting that governments have historically initiated such probes whenever formal complaints are filed. The focus of the administration, he maintained, remains on policy outcomes rather than targeting opponents.

Beyond the vigilance dispute, Chauhan highlighted recent fiscal victories for the state, specifically referencing a Supreme Court development regarding the Bhakra Beas Management Board. Under the arrangement, Himachal Pradesh is set to receive electricity dues instead of cash, a move expected to be mirrored by Punjab. He also pointed to an increase in free power shares from hydroelectric projects, from 12 to 18 percent, which officials estimate will bolster state revenue by hundreds of crores.

Addressing the political climate, Chauhan turned the focus back on the opposition, accusing the former BJP administration of presiding over widespread recruitment scandals. He alleged that police exam papers were sold for significant sums during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, contrasting this with the current government’s record. According to Chauhan, the Congress administration has overseen three-and-a-half years of recruitment across the health, education, and forest departments without a single instance of paper leakage or procedural irregularity.