Maheshwar cautions Banjar MLA over growth remark

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Kullu, August 16

Former MP Maheshwar Singh has said he will react if derogatory remarks are made against him by Banjar MLA Surender Shourie. Addressing a press conference here today, he said during the CM’s visit to Banjar on Saturday, the local MLA stated that earlier the Banjar region had MLAs from Kullu, who did not care for the area and did “sair-sapata” but now a real Seraji had become an MLA, who would carry out development of the region.

He said development had taken place in Banjar over the years and he had also contributed to this.

Banjar has remained a stronghold of the erstwhile royal family. Maheshwar had won the Banjar MLA elections twice in 1977 and 1982. His brother Karan Singh had also won from Banjar twice on BJP ticket in 1990 and 1998 and once on Congress ticket in 2012. Maheshwar’s son Hiteshwar Singh was elected Zila Parishad member from Raila ward in Banjar in 2016 and his wife emerged victorious in the Zila Parishad elections from Dhaugi ward in Banjar in 2021.

Statement that irked former Kullu MP

Earlier, the Banjar region had MLAs from Kullu, who did not care for the area and did ‘sair-sapata’ but now a real Seraji had become an MLA, who would carry out development of the region. —Banjar MLA Surender Shourie

Aditya Vikram Singh, son of former Ayurveda Minister Karan Singh, was the Congress candidate from Banjar in 2017, however, he lost to the BJP’s Surender Shourie. Hiteshwar is planning to contest the next Assembly elections from Banjar.

The former MP alleged that the Banjar MLA had misled the CM by stating that the masses had been consulted for shifting IPH subdivision from Shamshi to Bajaura. He alleged that nobody was approached on the matter. He said residents of Doranala, Kharihar, Badihar and other remote panchayats had expressed resentment against shifting of the subdivision from Shamshi and it was his responsibility to protect the interest of the masses. He said a new subdivision could be created in Bajaura but the Shamshi subdivision should not be shifted.

Maheshwar said some people of the Opposition were planning an agitation over the shifting of the subdivision but they should wait as he had approached the CM and provided him the relevant documents. He added that the CM had assured him that an amicable solution would be found.