Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday, 3 October 2026, launched a pointed attack on the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led state government, accusing it of repeatedly facing judicial embarrassment as its decisions, policies, and regulations are struck down as unconstitutional by courts. Thakur made the remarks from Hamirpur, where he attended a short-term extension training programme for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers.

The Core Charge

Speaking at the training event, Thakur questioned why the state government's decisions kept failing judicial scrutiny despite Chief Minister Sukhu reportedly presenting himself as well-versed in law. 'Why does the government repeatedly face embarrassment in court despite the Chief Minister's claims of being well-versed in law and having a team of friends and advisers around him? Why are the rules, laws, policies and decisions made by his government repeatedly being declared unconstitutional? What is his intention?' Thakur asked.

He alleged that under the Sukhu government's flagship slogan of 'Vyavastha Parivartan' (systemic transformation), the Chief Minister was instead creating a record of unconstitutional policies and decisions.

High Court Quashes Job Trainee Policy for Medical Officers

Thakur specifically welcomed the Himachal Pradesh High Court's decision to quash the state government's job trainee system for recruiting medical officers, calling the court's ruling a vindication of the BJP's consistent opposition to the policy. He alleged that the government had even extended the job trainee system to doctors who were already partway through an ongoing recruitment process, compounding the legal and administrative problem.

He warned that statements made at public rallies could not substitute for legal soundness in a court of law — a remark widely read as a direct reference to Chief Minister Sukhu's public claims about the legitimacy of the policy.

BJP's Prior Warnings, Ignored

According to Thakur, the BJP had repeatedly cautioned the Sukhu government against introducing what he described as legislation driven by 'political vendetta and hostility,' advising the government to withdraw such bills to preserve the dignity of the State Assembly. He alleged that the government's numerical majority and stubbornness had together undermined the House's standing.

Thakur claimed the party had correctly predicted that such laws would not withstand judicial scrutiny, and that its warnings had been dismissed each time.

Healthcare Sector Under Fire

The former Chief Minister widened his attack to the state's healthcare sector, accusing the Sukhu government of allowing 'misinformation and disorder' to fester under the cover of systemic reform. He argued that healthcare is directly linked to people's lives, and that administrative negligence in the sector was putting residents of Himachal Pradesh at risk.

Political Context

This is not the first time the Sukhu government has faced legal reverses since taking office. Critics, including the BJP, have consistently argued that several of the government's flagship decisions were legally vulnerable. The High Court's ruling on the medical officer recruitment policy now adds to that list, potentially giving the opposition fresh ammunition ahead of local body elections. The government is yet to issue a formal response to Thakur's charges.