Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sudhir Sharma was questioned by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Shimla on Friday, 21 August, in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case registered against him on 29 July. Sharma rejected the inquiry as an act of 'political vendetta' by the ruling Congress government, pointing out that the questioning was conducted while the state Legislative Assembly was in active session.

What Sharma Said

Speaking to reporters after the questioning, Sharma maintained that he 'respects the law and is cooperating with the investigation.' He said all information sought by the Vigilance Department had already been furnished, and that his responses were backed by facts and documents.

'We are law-abiding people. Whatever facts are there will eventually come before the people of Himachal Pradesh. There is nothing to hide, and I will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation,' Sharma stated.

Timing and Procedural Objections

Sharma reserved sharp criticism for the timing of the Bureau's action, calling it 'unprecedented' that a sitting MLA was summoned away from the Assembly while it was in session. He alleged that the Congress government was deliberately trying to pressure Opposition legislators at a moment when they were raising public-interest issues on the floor of the House.

'The present government appears determined to suppress the voice of the Opposition. Such an approach cannot continue for long,' he said.

He also raised procedural concerns, noting that the DA case pertains to Dharamsala and that the relevant records are located there. 'I fail to understand why I have been summoned to the Vigilance headquarters in Shimla and why there is such urgency. Every investigation has a procedure and protocol, and these must be followed,' Sharma added.

Background: From Congress to BJP

Sharma is a former Cabinet Minister who switched political allegiance from the Indian National Congress (Congress) to the BJP. He was among six Congress MLAs who, along with three Independents, voted in favour of BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan during the Rajya Sabha elections in 2024. The group subsequently joined the BJP and contested the by-elections that followed.

Of the nine by-election seats, Congress won six and the BJP won three. This comes amid a broader pattern of political friction between the ruling Congress and the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, with the Opposition repeatedly alleging institutional misuse by the state government.

What Happens Next

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has not publicly commented on the timeline for the investigation. Sharma has indicated he will continue cooperating while simultaneously challenging what he characterises as politically motivated procedural choices. The case is likely to remain a flashpoint between the two parties as the Assembly session continues.