Himachal Pradesh : Vikramaditya Singh remarks expose fault lines in Sukhu government

Strong remarks by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh against IAS and IPS officers from outside Himachal Pradesh have triggered an open rift within the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Cabinet, with senior ministers publicly distancing themselves from his views and warning that such statements could damage the government’s image and administrative functioning.

Vikramaditya had alleged that certain officers from other states were defying orders, working against the interests of Himachal Pradesh and indulging in politics to protect their own interests. Without naming individuals, he cautioned officers from states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that they had been posted to serve the people of Himachal and not to “act like rulers”. He asserted that he would not compromise on the state’s interests under any circumstances.

However, the remarks drew swift criticism from within the Cabinet. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi was the first to react, terming it “wrong to make sweeping statements” against officers from outside the state. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh went a step further, openly criticising his Cabinet colleague and describing the comments as “highly avoidable”.

Anirudh Singh warned that such public criticism demoralises officers and undermines the credibility of the government. “Making sweeping statements spoils the image of the government. No officer refuses to do legal work; one must have the tact to get work done,” he said, adding that blaming others for one’s own shortcomings was inappropriate.

The controversy has gained traction on social media, where opinions remain sharply divided. While some have supported ministers questioning alleged bureaucratic high-handedness, others argue that targeting officers on the basis of their state of origin is unfair and counterproductive. The debate has also resurfaced amid concerns over retired bureaucrats being given plum postings, an issue the Congress had strongly opposed during the previous BJP regime.

The timing of the controversy is particularly sensitive, as Himachal Pradesh is grappling with a severe financial crisis and requires close coordination between the political leadership and the administrative machinery. Observers note that public discord within the Cabinet sends mixed signals at a time when stability and cohesion are crucial for governance.

Notably, the issue was first flagged by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri during a rally in Mandi on December 11, 2025, marking three years of the Congress government. A visibly upset Agnihotri had accused sections of the bureaucracy of “hatching conspiracies” and urged Chief Minister Sukhu to take corrective action.

Defending officers from outside the state, Anirudh Singh stressed that bureaucracy and administration are pillars of governance, irrespective of regional background. He pointed out that no candidate from Himachal has qualified for the IAS since 2016, and that Himachali officers are serving in other states just as officers from elsewhere serve in Himachal. Citing his own experience, Anirudh said he had never faced issues while overseeing projects worth Rs 1,200 crore under MNREGA, and acknowledged that officers from outside the state were doing commendable work.

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