Former HP CM’s foundation plaque found discarded, probe demanded

The foundation plaque of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was found discarded under a tree near the Block Development Office on Friday evening. The incident has unfolded in the in the home district of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Amid mounting political pressure, Chairman of the Workers’ Welfare Board, Naradev Kanwar, has called for an investigation into the matter.

The plaque, laid in 1996 when Virbhadra Singh was the chief minister, was reportedly removed from its original location. It was found alongside a board of the Agriculture Department’s sales center, which had also been displaced to make way for a poster of the HPBOCWWB office. Thakur has questioned how and why the plaque was removed and stressed the need for an investigation to determine its exact placement and the circumstances under which it was relocated.

The issue has created Hamirpur a center of a political tussle. Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur swiftly condemned the act, terming it a disgraceful departure from Himachal’s political traditions. Accusing the Sukhu-led government of disregarding the legacy of one of the state’s tallest leaders, Thakur demanded strict action against those responsible.