Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jairam Thakur on Monday questioned the state Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Minister Jagat Singh Negi for his purported comments towards the recent disaster struck in many areas in district Mandi including Seraj, which is being represented by the LoP.
More than two dozens of people have been killed and several missing following cloudburst incidents in Mandi district.
Referring to the alleged statement of Negi, in which he said “when a tragedy struck in my area then I realised the pain of general public”, Thakur said, “there might be some personal differences between me and the minister but being a part of the state government, the Revenue Minister should not made such irresponsible statement. He should visit the disaster affected areas, especially Seraj”.
The LoP also urged CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene in this matter. Thakur made these remarks during his interaction with media over certain issues including the transfer of a (executive engineer-) XEN-ranked official at Thunag in Mandi during the ongoing relief works. Thakur was in Mandi since July 1 and came to Shimla on Sunday.
Terming the accusations of Thakur “baseless”, Negi accused the former CM of misrepresenting the facts, statements of his opponents in the media.
“Jairam Thakur has some issues with me. His behavior was never appropriate towards me since he was the chief minister and I was in the Opposition. I have been performing my duties being the Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal minister successfully. The entire government is standing like a rock behind the people of Mandi including Seraj in this time of crisis,” the revenue minister said.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Thakur also accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of “insensitivity” and “inaction” in the wake of the recent disaster in Mandi. He claimed that an executive engineer who was doing commendable work on the ground was transferred under pressure from certain political leaders. “Till date, no senior officer from the state government has been deputed in Mandi,” he alleged.
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Thakur claimed that the government’s indifference stems from the fact that the disaster occurred in his constituency. “Recently, I received a call from the Panchayati Raj Minister suggesting that the Panchayati Raj Institute be shifted from Mandi. I challenge the government to show a single crack in that institute due to the disaster. Then why shift it?” he asked.
