Shimla Sanjeev Katwal, state general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, launched a sharp attack on the Congress government over the controversy surrounding a social media post by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, alleging that the administrative machinery in Himachal Pradesh has become directionless and unrestrained under the present regime.
Katwal said the real issue was not any controversial statement, but growing corruption and administrative failure. He alleged that during the Congress tenure, certain officers, enjoying political patronage, have begun to consider themselves above accountability, while the government has deliberately chosen to ignore corruption cases.
He clarified that the BJP has never opposed honest officers and has always respected those who perform their duties with integrity and in the interest of the state. At the same time, he said, the party has consistently raised issues related to corrupt officials, financial irregularities, commission-taking and misuse of public funds. Whether it involved misuse of central funds or corruption in development works, the BJP has repeatedly sought answers from the government at every forum, he added.
Supporting the statement of BJP vice-president and MP Rajiv Bhardwaj, Katwal said that comments made on public and social media platforms about senior administrative officers coming from outside the state were against constitutional norms and hurt Himachal Pradesh’s long-standing tradition of officers from across the country serving the Devbhoomi with dedication. He termed such remarks an attempt to divert attention from the core issues.
Katwal said the real question was not where an officer comes from, but whether he or she is performing duties honestly. If any officer or person associated with power is involved in corruption, strict action must be taken, he asserted. He described it as unfortunate that ministers and officers were making irresponsible statements, while the Chief Minister had neither taken a clear stand nor initiated any disciplinary action. This silence, he said, either reflected tacit approval of corruption or the government’s weak control over the administration, both of which were dangerous for the state.
He stressed that administrative officers must function impartially under the Constitution and service rules, which he described as the foundation of democracy. Political patronage-driven indiscipline and arbitrary conduct, he said, not only undermines discipline but also erodes public trust.
Katwal demanded that the Chief Minister immediately clarify the government’s position on the entire issue, fix accountability for controversial statements and ensure that administrative discipline, transparency and harmony are not compromised at any cost in Himachal Pradesh. He asserted that the BJP has consistently raised its voice against corruption and misgovernance in the past and would continue to do so with full force.