Vikramaditya Singh resigns as Himachal minister: ‘Attempt from some quarters to humiliate and undermine me’

“In the present situation, it is not good to continue as minister. I will decide my future course of action in the days to come with due consultation with my supporters. With all humility, I am handing over my resignation to the Chief Minister, Governor, as per the protocol,” Vikramaditya said. “I will continue to move forward, supporting the right things and opposing the wrong ones”.

Asserting that the incumbent government was formed by collective efforts and largely in the name of his late father, Vikramaditya said, “There are no two views that the name of six-time CM Virbhadra Singh was extensively used in the election, in banners and hoardings. There was a full-page advertisement that read ‘Mujhe Yaad Rakhna (remember me)’ and “Vote for Congress in my (Virbhadra) name’. Due to that, collectively, the Congress government was formed in Himachal.”

Vikramaditya said that CM Sukhu-led government could not even arrange for two square yards of land to put up a statue of Virbhadra Singh at Shimla’s Mall Road. “This is the respect they have for my late father. Not politically, but I am definitely hurt emotionally. Despite taking this up with the party command, this thing (statue) could not be installed. The party high command should look into it. Some things are above politics. I am sure the party will take note of this,” said Vikramaditya. “We have always followed party high command directions and in the coming time also, I will not take any step beyond Lakshman Rekha.”

He added, “I will continue to strongly raise my voice for the people of Himachal. Now, the ball is in the court of high command. They have to decide where the party is headed. I have said what I have to do. For one year, I have not said anything about the functioning of the government. But, I am also answerable to the people of Himachal who supported us… Any position or cabinet berth is not important to me..relationships are most important.”

He alleged party legislators were “ignored”, attempts were made to “muzzle” their voices, and there was “fiscal mismanagement”, all of which led to the current situation the Congress finds itself in.

Vikramaditya said he continuously raised the issues with the party high command, but they were not resolved. “We are at a very critical juncture. I have always believed in calling a spade a spade. I am a disciplined soldier of the party and know where to draw the line. Have we been able to meet the expectations of the youth who supported us…Our responsibility is to fulfil the promise and ensure due delivery. It is said that justice needs not to be done, but more importantly, it needs to be seen that justice has been delivered. The last man standing should feel that the government stands by them. I am deeply hurt by all these things that have transpired.”

The Shimla Rural constituency MLA said he has always respected the party leadership, and the CM and contributed to the running of the government. “In the last year, as a minister, I strongly supported the government. But, I have to say this with disappointment that there was an attempt from some quarters to humiliate and undermine me in my capacity as cabinet minister… I don’t know at what level this happened. I am not a person who will be overcome by these tactics and pressure. I know where to draw Lakshman Rekha. Virbhadra Singh ji did politics on his terms and conditions. He supported the right and opposed the wrong. We will follow the same path.”