The political landscape of Himachal Pradesh has taken a bizarre turn, with the state government issuing an order banning the sharing of photos featuring Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu without prior approval. This move comes amidst the ongoing ‘missing samosa’ controversy, which has seen the BJP launch a scathing attack on the Congress-led administration for its priorities.
The order, issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, covers all pictures taken during departmental meetings, official engagements, or public functions. A letter to this effect was shared with all secretaries and departmental heads after it was discovered that photos were being released to the media without prior authorization.
The government’s explanation for the ban centers around image control, stating that some photos may portray inappropriate gestures, potentially harming the Chief Minister’s public image. It argues that unregulated dissemination of photographs could have far-reaching consequences, affecting the perception of both the CM and the government.
However, this order has been met with skepticism, as it comes at a time when the BJP is relentlessly criticizing the Congress over the ‘missing samosa’ incident. This incident, involving a batch of samosas procured for the CM during an event in Shimla, went missing, with staffers allegedly consuming them. The incident triggered an internal CID investigation, further fueling the BJP’s criticism.
BJP chief JP Nadda, during a rally, sarcastically linked the incident to the Congress’s promises of providing free electricity and unemployment allowance, suggesting that the party’s priorities were misaligned.
While the Chief Minister maintains that the CID probe is solely focused on misbehavior and not missing samosas, the timing of the photo ban has raised eyebrows, with some interpreting it as an attempt to control the narrative and limit the negative publicity surrounding the ‘missing samosa’ saga.
The ongoing controversy has not only exposed the political rivalry in Himachal Pradesh but also ignited a public debate about the government’s priorities and its approach to managing public perception. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the photo ban will be effective in managing the image of the Chief Minister, or if it will further fuel political tensions in the state.
