Shimla, April 2 Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, Jai Ram Thakur, criticised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday for "remaining a silent observer" despite complaints of irregularities being raised against the state's top bureaucrats.
Speaking to reporters here, he referred to allegations of irregularities in the Chester Hills housing project in Solan, and said that the chief minister is unable to take any action or offer a comment against these officials, even as they continue to attack each other.
"The chief minister is unable to take disciplinary action against them because he himself is compromised and the situation lacks grace," the LoP said, adding that only an individual of unblemished integrity can effectively remove corrupt officials from their positions.
Opposition parties had levelled allegations against Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta, pointing to alleged violations of land laws in the Chester Hills housing project.
Demanding an investigation by a Special Investigation Team into alleged land mafia activities and benami land deals in the state, the CPI(M) said that a fair investigation is impossible unless the chief secretary is removed from his position.
Gupta, meanwhile, claimed to be innocent and pointed out irregularities involving former chief secretaries.
"We raised this issue multiple times within the Legislative Assembly, yet the chief minister has remained silent. Officials with dubious records have been assigned to prime postings," the LoP told reporters.
"During our (the BJP's) tenure, any government official against whom even the slightest allegation was raised was promptly removed. The current chief minister treats those same officials with utmost deference and favour. His silence speaks volumes, indicating that these officials are in reality operating under his direct patronage. The entire state is witnessing his helplessness," Thakur said.