Himachal Pradesh Govt Restricts CM Sukhu’s Photos Amid ‘Samosa Saga’; BJP Criticizes Move

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: In a surprising development, the Himachal Pradesh government has issued an order banning the sharing of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu‘s photos without prior approval. This decision, announced by the state’s Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), aims to prevent the release of potentially “inappropriate” images of the Chief Minister in official or public settings.

The directive mandates that photographs from departmental meetings, official events, or public functions featuring the Chief Minister require official clearance before being shared with media or the public. The order, sent to all department heads and secretaries, emphasizes the importance of controlling CM Sukhu’s public image. The letter cited concerns that “unregulated dissemination of photographs can harm the image of the Chief Minister and the Government,” especially when images are taken without oversight.

The Controversial ‘Samosa Saga’ and BJP Criticism

The decision follows the much-talked-about “samosa saga,” where missing samosas at a government event inadvertently triggered an internal CID investigation. The snacks were procured from Shimla’s Radisson Hotel for CM Sukhu and were mistakenly served to event staff instead. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from miscommunication, has sparked criticism from opposition leaders.

BJP President JP Nadda, during a rally on Saturday, mocked the Congress-led administration in Himachal Pradesh, alleging mismanagement and misplaced priorities. “In Telangana, they promised free electricity but power cuts continue. Here in Himachal, they promised unemployment benefits and jobs, but now they’re investigating ‘who ate the samosa,’” Nadda jibed.

CID Clarifies Probe Intentions

In response to the controversy, the CID Deputy General Sanjeev Ranjan Ojha clarified that the investigation was not centered around the missing samosas but on a related case of alleged misbehavior. “This is an internal matter. The Chief Minister does not consume samosas, and there is no notice issued to anyone. We are only looking into how this information was leaked,” Ojha stated, cautioning against politicizing the probe.

While the order on CM Sukhu’s photos and the CID inquiry have both drawn mixed reactions, the Congress-led government insists that the photo restriction is to maintain decorum and prevent potential misuse of imagery that could negatively impact public perception.