It is for the state government to decide whether the minister is bigger or the bureaucrat, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla stated this on Friday while commenting on conflicting statements regarding holding panchayat elections in the state on time.
He said ministers are claiming that the elections will be held as scheduled, while the bureaucrats working under them, including seven deputy commissioners, have reported that they are unable to prepare for the elections in the current situation.
Both cannot be true at the same time, Shukla said, asking the government to decide whether the minister is bigger or the bureaucrat.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Audit Week launch in Shimla, the governor said holding panchayat elections is a constitutional responsibility, and everyone must follow the Constitution.
"There would be an atmosphere of instability in the state if the Vidhan Sabha elections are not held on time, and as far as the panchayat elections are concerned, both the state election commission and the government should sit and resolve the issue to hold the elections,” Shukla said. He said postponing the elections would not be conducive to democracy.
Shukla said he had received a sealed envelope from the state election panel on Friday, but he had not opened it yet.
In a notification issued on October 9, Chief Secretary and Chairman of the State Executive Committee Sanjay Gupta had stated that the elections would be held only after proper connectivity was restored, considering the damage to roads and private and public property during the monsoon.
However, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and other ministers have maintained that the elections will be held on time.
Elections to more than 3,500 gram panchayats in the state are scheduled for December 2025–January 2026. The last date for conducting the election is January 23, and the state election commission has initiated the process with the preparation of electoral rolls.
Meanwhile, responding to a question on rising firing incidents in the state, Shukla said the law and order situation has been deteriorating and the government should take strict action.
He said Himachal is known as Devbhoomi, and the state government should work to protect the sanctity of the land.
One person was killed and two were hurt in a firing incident at a hotel in Lalsingi in Una late Wednesday night after a dispute between two groups at a birthday party.
In another incident, a 21-year-old youth fired shots in the air with a pistol near Oachghat on the outskirts of Solan town on Thursday. The main accused in both incidents have been arrested.
Earlier, at the Audit Week launch, the governor said the audit acts as a watchdog in a democracy and that CAG reports have often raised serious issues in national politics. “This system protects public interest and ensures accountability,” he said.
Also Read: Himachal Guv stresses role of audits in democracy
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