Himachal health minister's political heir's scathing post puts Congress in a bind

A social media post by Col (retd) Sanjay Shandil, son of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Dhani Ram Shandil, demanding the ouster of corrupt officials in the health department has left the Congress embarrassed.

Vouching for his father's honesty, he termed Dr Shandil to be the pride of Himachal.

He demanded the suspension of lax and corrupt officers and those indulging in corruption in his father's department.

He further claimed that the corrupt do not even hesitate in exploiting the specially-abled and demanded the suspension of such people.

Dr Shandil was not available for comment when contacted on the phone.

While leaving the Congress embarrassed, the post made last evening was yet to catch the attention of the party higher-ups.

Aspiring to contest the next Vidhan Sabha poll after his father declared him his political heir, Sanjay has been active in the field since his superannuation a few months ago.

While it was not known what was the immediate provocation for airing these candid views, it has left the Congress leaders visibly uncomfortable as they await action from the party higher-ups.