Shimla, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday hit back at the Opposition BJP over its briefcase protest in the Assembly premises and proposed chargesheet, accusing the party of attempting to divert attention from its own record.
Speaking to the media after arriving at the Assembly following his visit to Delhi and Varanasi, Sukhu said no minister in his three-year-old government had faced corruption allegations. He alleged that the BJP had itself established a tradition of corruption and bribery in the state.
On the controversy over the national anthem and national song, Sukhu said both were part of the country’s historical contributions associated with the Congress. He said India’s progress was built on the foundations of democracy and the Constitution laid by leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar, and accused the BJP of raising such issues to divert attention from its past mistakes.
Highlighting his government’s legal efforts, Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh had secured a legal victory worth Rs 401 crore in the Wildflower Hall case. He also said senior advocate Kapil Sibal had strongly argued the state’s case in the BBMB matter, with the verdict reserved.
Taking a swipe at the BJP’s briefcase demonstration, Sukhu alleged that the issue of briefcases had earlier surfaced when nine MLAs were “sold”. He claimed the BJP was now carrying empty briefcases and said the briefcase culture was associated with the Opposition.
“If they wanted to protest inflation, BJP leaders would have brought briefcases filled with onions and sugar and distributed them among the public,” he said, adding that his government was following a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
On the BJP’s proposed chargesheet, Sukhu said several people named in the party’s 2017 chargesheet were now associated with the BJP. He referred to allegations earlier levelled against Sudhir Sharma and Rajendra Rana, as well as the naming of Harsh Mahajan in a cooperative bank case, and accused the BJP of defending them when his government initiated action.
Sukhu also criticised BJP MLAs for visiting the Vigilance Headquarters, saying investigating agencies were merely seeking documents and details of contractors and that the issue was being turned into political drama.
Asked about a possible Cabinet expansion, Sukhu said his government still had one year and four months remaining and that the decision would be announced at the appropriate time.
FOLLOW NOW
