‘I have always shown them mirror… but BJP wants me to stop questioning’: Himachal Minister Jagat Singh Negi

Edited excerpts:

Why did the Opposition, led by former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, decide to boycott you at the outset of the monsoon session?

The Opposition takes everything lightly in the House. They do not respect rules, and when I point out their violations, they walk out. The recent boycott was no different. The Opposition, especially Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur, decided to boycott me throughout the session because our government recommended temporary shifting of College of Horticulture & Forestry at Thunag, which is in Seraj Assembly seat of Thakur, to Sundernagar. Despite my assurance that the college is being shifted temporarily, locals under the influence of BJP leaders threw black flags — some even shoes — on my official vehicle which hit the National Flag on July 25 when I was at Thunag. The local police lodged an FIR against the protesters. Another reason why they decided to boycott me is I demanded the Opposition to bring a white paper in the House explaining how much money it received in the name of relief for Seraj.

Some of your remarks against the LoP were expunged from the proceedings. How do you see this?

It was unnecessary. My remarks were neither abusive nor against the dignity of the House. The Opposition twisted my words for political mileage. I had made a satirical remark, which was neither abusive nor defamatory. It referred to the fact that during Thakur’s tenure (2017-22), the state debt stood at Rs 75,000 crore. In Seraj alone, his constituency, around Rs 400 crore was spent on unplanned development. More than a dozen helipads were constructed there, which are lying unused. I think that unplanned development without appropriate approvals under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) and other provisions is the main reason behind the recent devastation at Seraj.

The Opposition accuses you of being insensitive towards the plight of people at Seraj, which was badly hit by the June 30 cloudburst disaster. How do you respond?

This is completely false. I had said: “Jab aap ke jooton mein kanta chubha, tab aapko pata laga (When a thorn pierced your shoes, you realised the pain)”. It was a simple taunt, not objectionable. But Thakur turned it into propaganda. I said this when a resolution was passed to go to the Central government during the 2023 disaster, the entire Opposition backtracked. In fact, I was the one who assured immediate relief. Jai Ram Thakur, being a former CM, knows the procedure: first, immediate relief is given to victims who lose family members and houses. After this, funds are allocated once the relief package is approved. We have approved the package. For example, Rs 25,000 for damaged polyhouses; Rs 7 lakh for fully damaged houses; Rs 1 lakh for partially damaged houses; and Rs 70,000 for destroyed belongings. Compensation for loss of domestic livelihood like goat/sheep has been raised from Rs 6,000 to Rs 9,000. We also deployed machinery for restoring connectivity, released funds to Deputy Commissioners, and ensured temporary shelters for displaced families. Deji village, the worst-hit area, was reconnected at the earliest.

What about the allegation that the government ignored Seraj deliberately?

If the Opposition was so concerned, they should have moved a resolution on the disaster under Rule 67 before the session. Instead, they staged a drama when the issue was already listed under Rule 130 by our MLAs. Even when I stood up to reply, they left the House. This shows their intent, insensitivity and non-seriousness towards the disaster.

Is there a possibility of your differences with the Opposition getting bridged?

No, my differences with the BJP are purely ideological; they can never be bridged. They called me “deshdrohi (anti-national)” earlier. I have nothing personal against Jai Ram Thakur; I always respected him and even addressed him with ‘ji.’ But they look at me with heen bhavana (inferiority complex) because I come from a tribal background. I have always shown them the mirror. My statements are within facts and within the spirit of the Assembly. But BJP wants me to stop questioning their ideology, which I will never do.