Dharamshala/Shimla, May 24
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu launched a scathing attack on Sudhir Sharma, a former MLA of Dharamshala, accusing him of being deeply involved in corruption and land mafia activities. Speaking at multiple public meetings in Dharamshala, Sukhu alleged that Sharma amassed significant wealth through illegal means, including the purchase of 82 properties in Dharamshala and surrounding areas under the name of his driver, Nek Ram.
The Chief Minister revealed that these properties were acquired over a span of three years, questioning the source of the funds. “Where did the driver get ten crore rupees from?” Sukhu asked, highlighting the implausibility of such wealth accumulation by a driver. He further claimed that Sharma has benami properties not just in Dharamshala but also in Dubai, Palampur, Shimla, Manali, and Chandigarh.
These disclosures were made during public meetings held to support Congress candidate Devendra Jaggi. Despite heavy rain in Mandal, a large crowd gathered to listen to the Chief Minister. Sukhu emphasized that an investigation is underway and promised that Sharma’s corrupt activities would soon be fully exposed. “He is trying to prove himself clean by wearing white clothes, but the public knows that he is tainted,” Sukhu asserted.
Sukhu alleged that Sharma, who came to Dharamshala ten years ago, built a house worth ten crore rupees and acquired properties worth an additional ten crore rupees in the name of his driver. Accusing Sharma of being more interested in personal wealth than public service, Sukhu recounted how Sharma often ignored his constituents, rarely attending Vidhan Sabha sessions, and even refusing to accept wedding invitations from locals.
The Chief Minister narrated an incident where Sharma allegedly pressured a landowner to sell his land. “Sudhir is so greedy for money that he himself called a land owner to buy his land while being an MLA and pressurized him saying that he has to give his land. But the land owner refused,” Sukhu shared, adding that this testimony came directly from the landowner.
Sukhu criticized Sharma for neglecting the problems of Dharamshala residents and instead focusing on personal wealth accumulation. Highlighting his own contributions to the region, Sukhu mentioned the establishment of a Rs 250 crore milk processing plant in Dhangwar and a Rs 500 crore Unity Mall in Sharma’s constituency.
The Chief Minister urged the people of Dharamshala to reject Sharma in the upcoming by-election on June 1, arguing that such “sellable” politicians have no place in governance. He appealed to honest BJP workers to rise above party ideology and vote for the Congress candidate Devendra Jaggi, assuring them that he would personally oversee Dharamshala’s development.
Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, and former candidate Vijay Inder Karna were also present at these meetings, lending their support to Jaggi. Sukhu concluded by emphasizing the need for integrity in politics and promising a transformative change for Dharamshala under honest leadership.
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