Hamirpur, Vishal Rana

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s preference for luxurious 5-star hotels over the Himachal Bhavan during his Chandigarh visits has raised eyebrows and sparked controversy. Former Sujanpur MLA Rajendra Rana has openly questioned the reasons behind the CM’s frequent stays at high-end hotels like Taj and Hyatt, instead of the designated Chief Minister Suite at Himachal Bhavan.

During a press conference, Rajendra Rana criticized Sukhu for allegedly burdening the state with unnecessary expenses. He also expressed concerns about the CM’s decision to keep his security detail away from these 5-star hotels, hinting at undisclosed meetings with certain “friendly” officials and individuals at these locations.

Rana further highlighted that, unlike his predecessors, Sukhu is the first Chief Minister in Himachal’s history to consistently choose luxury hotels over the Himachal Bhavan for his stay in Chandigarh. This, he suggests, reflects a disregard for the state’s resources.

The former MLA also alleged that the phones of political leaders and officials in Himachal are being tapped, leading to a significant breach of privacy. He claimed that the current government has failed to ensure the safety of its leaders and officials, while the state’s treasury is being exploited by a select few.

In a serious accusation, Rana pointed to a land deal in the Fatehpur area, where a private plot valued at ₹6-7 crore is being sold to Power Corporation Limited for an inflated price of ₹67 crore. He described this as a major scam, with cronies benefiting from the purchase of undervalued land at exorbitant rates.

Rana also lamented the state of development in Himachal under the current government, specifically citing stalled projects in Sujanpur, including the construction of a college in Touni Devi and a bus stand in Sujanpur. He accused the Chief Minister’s office of delaying crucial files under Section 118, further stalling progress.

In a startling revelation, Rana claimed that several Congress MLAs and ministers are feeling suffocated under the current regime and are in touch with him. These leaders, he says, are frustrated as their work remains unfulfilled, leading to widespread dissatisfaction within the government. Furthermore, Rana criticized Sukhu for being the first CM whose own constituents need an appointment to meet him.

Rajinder Rana’s scathing remarks reflect growing discontent within political circles in Himachal Pradesh. The allegations of mismanagement, cronyism, and stifling of development projects paint a troubling picture of the state’s current leadership. The controversy surrounding the CM’s choice of accommodation in Chandigarh is just the tip of the iceberg, hinting at deeper issues within the administration.