Shimla police questions BJP leaders and former MLAs in alleged horse trading case

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 23 (ANI): Shimla Police questioned several BJP leaders and former MLAs on Friday in connection with an alleged horse-trading case linked to the Rajya Sabha elections. Among those summoned were former MLAs Davinder Bhutto, KL Thakur, and Rajinder Rana, who appeared before the Boileauganj Police Station.

Rakesh Sharma, the father of former Congress legislator Ashish Sharma, was also called in for questioning.

Speaking to the media, BJP leader Rajinder Rana described the allegations as baseless. He stated, “There is a significant difference between making an allegation and proving it. I am 58 years old, and until now, no one has filed a complaint against me in any panchayat or police station. This is my first time at a police station. We are here to cooperate with the investigation, but allegations alone don’t prove guilt.”

Rana also criticised the state government, saying that the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh should explain why he chooses to stay in five-star hotels in Chandigarh instead of Himachal Bhavan, where he has a suite. “Who covers the expenses for his stays, and why does he avoid meeting the people of Himachal Pradesh? The state is in financial distress, and the people deserve transparency from their elected officials,” he said.

He continued his criticism, adding, “Today, I visited a police station, thanks to the ‘mercy’ of the Chief Minister. The central government should award him a gold medal for his deceit. He has made false promises about employment and financial aid for women, and none of them have materialised. Himachal Pradesh is under a debt of Rs. 65,000 crore, and in just a year and a half, this government has taken a loan of Rs. 35,000 crore.”

Earlier in March, Shimla Police registered an FIR against Ashish Sharma, former Independent MLA, and Rakesh Sharma, his father, based on a complaint by Congress legislators Bhuvnashwar Gaur and CPS Sanjay Awasthi.

The FIR, filed at the Boileauganj police station on March 10th, cited sections 120B, 171(e), and (c) of the IPC and sections 7 and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The complaint outlined three main allegations: undue pressure and unfair means during Rajya Sabha elections, horse trading during the budget session, and the use of state resources for illegal purposes.