BJP Legislators Protest Withholding of MLA Funds in Himachal Pradesh
In a significant political development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislative party in Himachal Pradesh, under the leadership of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, formally submitted a memorandum to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Friday. The document strongly condemns the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for allegedly withholding crucial financial resources allocated to opposition legislators.
Allegations of Fund Withholding and Development Stagnation
The memorandum presents a detailed account of financial constraints imposed on opposition members. According to the BJP, the MLA Local Area Development (LAD) fund has not been released by the Congress administration since October 2025. This prolonged delay has created severe operational difficulties for opposition legislators who are unable to fulfill development promises made to their constituents.
The party emphasized that Himachal Pradesh has endured substantial losses from natural disasters this year, making these funds particularly vital for restoration and ongoing development initiatives. Despite clear budgetary provisions, only Rs 1.10 crore—merely half of the authorized amount—has been disbursed to each MLA. The remaining funds continue to be withheld, according to BJP legislative party leaders.
Impact on Discretionary Funds and Public Welfare
Beyond the LAD funds, the memorandum highlights significant delays in releasing discretionary grants. These funds are specifically designated to provide immediate assistance to impoverished individuals, those suffering from illness, and citizens affected by disasters. The BJP argues that such administrative delays not only undermine the credibility of elected representatives but also deprive the most vulnerable segments of society of timely and essential support.
Speaking to media representatives, Jai Ram Thakur elaborated on the procedural breakdown. "It has been a long-standing tradition in Himachal Pradesh to seek development priorities from MLAs and prepare detailed project reports through departments like Public Works and Jal Shakti," Thakur stated. "However, for the past three years, the DPRs of opposition MLAs have neither been prepared nor forwarded to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development."
Stalled Projects and Calls for Gubernatorial Intervention
The situation appears even more dire in specific instances. Thakur revealed that in some cases, even previously approved development works have been abruptly stalled, with payments stopped at the treasury level without explanation. This has resulted in incomplete projects and frustrated public expectations across multiple constituencies represented by opposition members.
Labeling the current scenario as fundamentally undemocratic, the former Chief Minister urgently appealed to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla. He requested the Governor to direct the state government to:
- Immediately release all pending MLA LAD funds and discretionary grants
- Expeditiously prepare detailed project reports for development priorities submitted by opposition MLAs
- Ensure balanced and equitable development across all regions of Himachal Pradesh, regardless of political representation
The BJP's memorandum represents a formal escalation of tensions between the ruling Congress and opposition benches in the state assembly. It underscores growing concerns about partisan administration of development funds and raises questions about equitable governance practices in Himachal Pradesh.
