A Himachal Pradesh Cabinet meeting during the MCC for local polls has triggered a row. The BJP accused the Congress govt of violating norms with ‘vote-influencing’ welfare decisions and approached the State Election Commission with a complaint.
A Cabinet meeting held by the Himachal Pradesh government during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleging violation of electoral norms and approaching the State Election Commission over what it termed as “vote-influencing” decisions ahead of the ongoing Panchayati Raj elections.
The controversy centres around a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday, during which several welfare and administrative decisions were cleared, including expansion of a women’s pension scheme, revision of honorarium for various workers, and other policy approvals.
BJP Lodges Complaint
The BJP has formally lodged a complaint with the Himachal Pradesh State Election Commission, alleging that the Cabinet decisions could directly influence voters during elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions, Zila Parishads, Block Development Committees (BDCs) and Gram Panchayats. The complaint was submitted by BJP State Media Co-convenor Karan Nanda. Confirming receipt of the complaint, Himachal Pradesh State Election Commissioner Anil Kumar Khachi said, “We have received a complaint which will be looked into.” He further added, “He if there would be any evidence for that we shall examine it, State Election Commission can’t stop the state government from holding any meetings which does not impact the polling process.”
Controversial Cabinet Decisions
The Cabinet meeting approved the extension of a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 to all women belonging to families with an annual income of less than Rs 2 lakh under the ‘Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana’. Around 35,000 women are already receiving benefits under the scheme. The Congress had, during the 2022 Assembly elections, promised a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to all women above 18 years of age, though without an income ceiling at that time. Among other decisions, the Cabinet allowed all shops across the state to remain open 24 hours, increased the retirement age of professors in medical colleges from 62 to 63 years, and approved an increase in honorarium for several categories of workers. These include Mid-Day Meal workers, School Management Committee (SMC) teachers, multi-task workers, and Panchayat Chowkidars, who will receive a Rs 500 hike. Sewing teachers were granted an additional Rs 1,000 increase in honorarium. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a new city named ‘Him Chandigarh’ near Chandigarh. However, no official press briefing or press note was issued by the state government after the meeting.
BJP Alleges ‘Political Mileage’ Attempt
Raising objections, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan accused the ruling Congress of attempting to derive political advantage during the MCC period. “The Congress government is openly flouting democratic norms and the Model Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is currently in force across the entire state due to ongoing Panchayat, BDC, and Zila Parishad elections. Convening a Cabinet meeting abruptly at such a juncture raises several suspicions,” Mahajan said. He alleged that the decisions could influence electoral outcomes and said the government should have avoided announcing or publicising them during the election process.
“The Congress government is persistently trying to derive political mileage by using government machinery and making various announcements,” he added. Mahajan also demanded that the Election Commission immediately review the Cabinet decisions and halt their implementation and publicity until the completion of elections.
Congress Defends ‘Routine’ Decisions
Rejecting the allegations, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan said there was no violation of the MCC. “There is no violation or any attempt to influence voters. All the schemes approved by the Cabinet are ongoing schemes and no new scheme has been announced,” he said. He added that the opposition was attempting to create unnecessary controversy.
Responding to the BJP complaint, Parliamentary Affairs and Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan defended the Cabinet decisions, calling them routine administrative approvals. “The decisions taken by the Cabinet were routine matters related to budget announcements and ongoing schemes and did not violate any provision of the Model Code of Conduct,” he said. He further said urgent administrative and judicial matters required Cabinet approval and could not be delayed due to the ongoing election process.
“No press note or official publicity was issued regarding the Cabinet decisions,” the minister added. He also pointed out that Urban Local Body and Municipal elections conducted on party symbols had already concluded, while Panchayati Raj elections were a prolonged process, requiring continuation of governance decisions.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the State Election Commission Surjeet Singh Rathore said, “This matter has been brought to our notice and will be placed before the Commission for directions.”
The episode has now set off a wider political and legal debate over the limits of government decision-making during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in staggered local body elections. (ANI)
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