Jai Ram Thakur Demands CM Sukhvinder Sukhu’s Resignation, Cites Constitutional Failure and Corruption in HPCL Solar Project
Shimla, May 25:
Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today launched a scathing attack on the Sukhu-led Congress government, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over what he termed as a “complete constitutional breakdown” and “rampant corruption” in the state administration.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur hailed the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s recent decision to hand over the probe into the mysterious death of HPCL Chief Engineer Vibhal Negi to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), terming it a serious indictment of the state government’s credibility.
“The CM has no moral authority to continue. Neither the SP Shimla, nor the DGP or even the Chief Secretary seem to follow his line. This shows a complete collapse of governance. The law and order situation is in shambles,” Thakur alleged.
Referring to the controversial Pekhawala Solar Project under Himachal Power Corporation Ltd (HPCL), the former Chief Minister accused top officials — including those in the Chief Minister’s Office — of colluding with private contractors, leading to an unjustified escalation of project costs by over Rs 10 crore.
> “This project has exposed the deep-rooted corruption within the system. The High Court's intervention proves that the people at the top are not interested in justice,” he added.
Thakur questioned the role of Shimla SP in the case, stating that the SP had no locus standi to approach the High Court on his own in such sensitive matters.
> “It was the responsibility of the state government to seek a CBI probe, not the police.
What’s more shocking is that the CBI officials had to face resistance while seeking documents from the SP office. This proves there’s something to hide,” he claimed.
Calling the state’s flagship “Vikas ka Naya Sankalp – Vyavastha Parivartan” a complete failure, Thakur said that the slogan has instead brought in a state of “lawlessness and administrative confusion.”
> “The people of Himachal had trusted this government, but today, all they see is mismanagement, interference in investigations, and zero accountability. The Chief Minister must resign,” he concluded.
The CBI is currently in Shimla, actively collecting case-related documents in the Vibhal Negi case, as per court directives.
However, the alleged non-cooperation by district police officials has raised eyebrows, triggering a political storm in the state.
The state government is yet to respond officially to the allegations made by the Leader of Opposition.
