The BJP took a sharp jibe at Himachal Congress after minister Dhani Ram Shandil's supported the UP-like order mandating display of owner's ID card at eateries.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday took a sharp jibe at the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government by questioning its longevity after another minister supported the UP-like eateries order in the state which is believed to have run into rough weather with the party’s top leadership.
It comes after state minister Dhani Ram Shandil backed Vikramaditya Singh’s decision mandating food outlets across the state to display the identity cards of the owners amid growing discontent within the Congress over the move.
Taking to X, BJP IT wing chief Amit Malviya wrote, “Now, Himachal Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil also comes out in open support of Vikramaditya on the street vendor policy. Earlier, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh had struck a divergent note on the illegal Mosque issue.”
“How long will this Congress Govt in Himachal last, with all the contradictions and infighting?” he added.
Despite the reprimand from the Congress High Command, Himachal Minister Vikramaditya remains defiant, stands by his position on the need to display owners’ name and ID on every eatery and food stall in the state.Now, Himachal Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil also comes out in…
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 27, 2024
Congress ‘Upset’ With Eateries Order
The move, which Singh had announced earlier this week, triggered a backlash on social media and from within the party, raising concerns about Congress’ stand on such policies after it had previously criticised a similar move announced by Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government.
Singh, who holds the Public Works and Urban Development ministry, was summoned to Delhi for consultations and asked to refrain from making controversial remarks on the matter, said party sources.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was reportedly upset with Singh’s handling of the matter, which has now snowballed into a significant issue for the state’s ruling party.
CM Sukhu Downplays Eateries Order
After Singh courted controversy by announcing the UP-like order for eateries in the state, the Himachal government on Thursday clarified that no decision to display nameplates by the vendors had been taken.
A spokesperson for the government said numerous suggestions have been received from different sections of society regarding the street vendor’s policy.
“So far, the government has not taken any decision to mandatorily display nameplates or other identification by the vendors on their stalls,” he said, adding the government was committed to addressing the concerns of street vendors of the state and would consider all suggestions carefully before taking any decision.
