Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has blamed Governor Acharya Devvrat for failing to perform his constitutional duties.
The Chief Minister, while talking to the media, blamed Governor for delaying Himachal Pradesh Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Associations) Bill 2015. Virbhadra said the Governor of any state must discharge constitutional duties impartially.
However, BJP has condemn the Chief Minister statement and reminded him about the fate of Gujrat Lokayukta bill, passed by then Modi led state government. BJP leader Rajiv Bindal reminded Chief Minister that bill was kept pending by the Governor for long nine years, and when BJP questioned the same, Congress leaders pleaded that no one could question the prerogative of Governor given by the constitution of India.
The Himachal Assembly had passed the bill on April 11, 2015, amidst strong protest from opposition BJP, and had sent to then Governor Kalyan Singh for consent. However, Kalyan Singh, who was holding additional charge of Himachal, left the decision to his successor, Acharya Devvrat, who assumed office in August.
The bill aimed to keep tab on as many as 42 sports bodies, including the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). The Opposition BJP has vehemently objected the move and accused Chief Minister for aiming to take control of HPCA. However, Chief Minister and Congress have maintained that the Sports Bill was only aiming to make sports bodies more transparent.
