BJP's Leadership Absence Raises Questions in Himachal Pradesh Power Case

Absence of Key Leaders at Press Conference

Dharamshala: In a surprising development regarding the BJP's campaign against the Congress administration, two significant figures in the investigation of the *death of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited Chief Engineer Vimal Negi were conspicuously absent from a recent press conference led by BJP State president Dr. Rajeev Bindal.

Sudhir Sharma, a former minister and senior BJP member, was the first to claim that a pen drive was discovered on Vimal Negi's body, which subsequently vanished under mysterious circumstances. This assertion sent shockwaves through the political landscape and heightened demands for a thorough investigation.

Following this revelation, Sharma faced direct criticism from the Shimla SP, resulting in a legal confrontation. His pivotal role in highlighting the issue and being embroiled in a legal dispute has raised eyebrows regarding his absence from the press conference.

Similarly, Bikram Singh Thakur, another former minister, has been a staunch critic of the HPPCL's operations, frequently voicing concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Rs 250-crore Pekhubela solar power initiative. His persistent inquiries into the state energy department's transparency made him a crucial player in the BJP's push for accountability. Yet, he too was missing from the event.

The press conference, which took place at the government-operated Dhauladhar Hotel in Dharamshala, featured Dr. Rajeev Bindal demanding accountability from the Sukhu government regarding the suspicious circumstances surrounding Vimal Negi's death and alleged corruption within Himachal's power sector.

While the BJP has ramped up its criticism of the Congress government, the absence of Sudhir and Bikram—both essential voices—has shifted some attention to the internal dynamics and unity within the BJP. A political analyst remarked, “Are these absences indicative of a larger political strategy or signs of potential fractures within the party’s leadership? As the state grapples with controversies involving high-ranking officials and governance issues, these optics are significant.”

In the evolving political landscape of Himachal, where public perception is vital, the sidelining of two prominent BJP figures is likely to attract scrutiny from both the public and party members, the analyst concluded.

S Gopal Puri