SHIMLA, Nov 26 — The opening day of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha’s winter session saw Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania allow an adjournment motion by BJP MLAs seeking an urgent debate on the alleged delay in panchayat and urban local bodies elections, setting the stage for a tense start to the proceedings.
MLAs Randhir Sharma, Surinder Shouri and Rakesh Jamwal asked for Question Hour to be suspended to take up the matter. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu responded that his government was ready for a “healthy, fact-based discussion” and denied that it was trying to avoid scrutiny.
Initiating the debate, Sharma accused the Congress government of acting “against public interest” by attempting to push back the polls despite the State Election Commission’s readiness. He said the government had “created an unnecessary confrontation” with the Commission.
Tension escalated after the Cabinet on Monday approved the reorganisation of panchayats. The BJP said the move was aimed at slowing the electoral process, pointing out that the Election Commission had already invoked a clause of the Model Code of Conduct on November 17 freezing any alteration to the boundaries or structure of panchayats and municipalities.
Sharma demanded that the government immediately announce the election schedule, calling the delay an “insult to the Constitution.” He also questioned the use of the Disaster Management Act, calling it “unconstitutional.” “If children can go to school, why can’t their parents go to cast their votes?” he asked.
The standoff between the government and the Commission is expected to dominate the early days of the session.
