Letter controversy hits BJP where it hurts most — its image

KS Tomar

An anonymous letter purportedly written by some disgruntled functionary of the BJP containing allegations of corruption against state Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur and other senior party leaders in the purchase of medicines worth Rs 30 crore has created tremors in Himachal politics. The allegations have hurt the image of the BJP and revived two dormant though powerful groups led by two former chief ministers Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal.

Though the controversy has been ‘suppressed’ for the time being due to firefighting by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP president Satpal Satti, it has exposed deep dissensions among party leaders, who derive sadistic pleasure from ‘intense infighting’ in the Congress.

The seriousness of the matter can be gauged from the fact that the police have confiscated the mobile phone of former Health Minister Ravinder Ravi, a staunch Dhumal loyalist, on suspicion that he was behind sharing of the contents of the letter on social media. Any state government will think twice before giving a go-ahead to the police to lay hands on some senior leader or a former minister of the ruling party. Hence, Ravi is furious and feeling offended. He has demanded a thorough probe into the matter. He is blaming the rival BJP faction for the malicious attempt to defame him and lower his prestige in the eyes of the people of the state. The investigating agency is trying to retrieve data to ascertain whether Ravi had shared the ‘letter bomb’ mail on social media.

Ravi has stated that he is being linked to the letter which was already in circulation on social media. To tarnish his image, he is being targeted by some persons who are behind the letter. Hence, a full investigation into the matter is urgently needed.

The Chief Minister has challenged his opponents to bring evidence to prove the authenticity of the allegations. He feels that the conspiracy is aimed at defaming the state government and they will not tolerate it. The police will expose persons behind the conspiracy and the truth will prevail. 

Satti says that anyone trying to damage the image of the government or any minister or individual will face action under cyber laws. Such anonymous letters against leaders of all parties keep surfacing but they carry no relevance or importance. In case, someone has proof, then courts or lok adalats are open to seek justice, he adds.

Meanwhile, intervention by Jai Ram Thakur and Satpal Satti has silenced the controversy temporarily but it has the potential to intensify infighting among BJP leaders in Kangra where district-level leaders are already engaged in a confrontation. The Chief Minister feels that the controversy will have no impact on the Dharamsala by-election.

The letter controversy is rooted in the age-old rivalry between Shanta and Dhumal factions. Therefore, the loyalists of both leaders, including Parmar and Ravi, are being targeted, giving a twist to the matter. The letter has thrown a challenge to Shanta Kumar to break his silence and speak against corruption in the Health Department. On the other hand, the Health Minister has vehemently criticised the ‘conspirators’ who are trying to drag his name into dirty politics. The Health Department has gone to the extent of issuing a detailed rejoinder to the allegations levelled in the anonymous letter. 

Parmar says that the letter does not mention anybody’s name and everything in it is fictitious. He favours registration of civil and criminal cases against those involved in this sordid act.

Congress leaders, including state party president Kuldeep Rathore, have expressed surprise over corruption allegations being levelled by BJP leaders against each other. Rathore says that BJP leaders used to ridicule them for not having unity in the party but now they are busy denigrating their own government with regard to the purchase of medicines worth crores of rupees and contracts given to ‘henchmen’ without adopting a proper tendering procedure.

For the moment, an eerie silence prevails in the BJP over the controversy. The ‘letter bomb’ has led to an open confrontation between Dhumal and Shanta groups. It appears that the by-elections have helped in taking the heat out of the controversy but it may resurface after the declaration of the results on October 24.

Attempt to defame me: Ravinder Ravi

The police have confiscated the mobile phone of former Health Minister Ravinder Ravi, a staunch Dhumal loyalist, on suspicion that he was behind sharing of the contents of the letter on social media. Ravi has stated that he is being linked to the letter, which was already in circulation on social media, to tarnish his image. 

Allegations false, fictitious: Parmar

Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar says the letter does not mention any name and everything in it is fictitious. He favours registration of civil and criminal cases against those involved in this sordid act. The anonymous letter contains allegations of corruption against Parmar, and Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur in the purchase of medicines worth Rs 30 crore. 

(Writer is a political analyst. Views are personal)