Dharampur MLA’s fast: CPM urges govt to intervene

The CPM has urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene in the ongoing fast of Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar, who has been protesting since September 8 against the alleged substandard construction work done by a company working on the National Highway (NH-3) in the region.

The MLA is sitting on a fast at Avah Devi in the Dharampur Assembly constituency in Mandi to show his resentment against the functioning of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which is executive agency for the NH-3, which passes through Hamirpur, Dharampur, Sarkaghat, Kotli in Mandi. The MLA alleged poor construction work and sluggish pace of construction work.

CPM leader Bhupender Singh stated that despite the seriousness of the protest, no minister from the state government had visited the site, raising concerns about the government’s apathy even towards a sitting MLA from their own party. The CPM has criticised this lack of support, suggesting that it reflects the government’s unwillingness to stand with their own legislator or take the matter seriously.

CITU leader stated that if the state government agrees with the MLA’s concerns, then Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu should officially communicate with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, either through a letter or a direct phone call.

Singh questioned whether the government is deliberately distancing itself from the protest, pointing to the complete absence of Congress party officials or state ministers at the hunger strike site. This silence, according to him, implies a lack of consensus or support for the MLA’s stance within the ruling party itself.

The CPM also criticised the BJP for its prolonged silence on the issue of poor construction work, despite the long-standing public grievances regarding the highway project.

With public support and political pressure mounting, the demand for immediate government action is growing.