Himachal’s Longest Winter Session Set to Test Government’s Nerves
The Tapovan Assembly in Dharamshala is bracing for what could be one of the stormiest legislative showdowns in recent memory. From November 26 to December 5, Himachal Pradesh will witness its longest-ever winter session, and the mood is already tense.
Even before the first gavel falls, the Assembly Secretariat has been flooded with over 600 questions from legislators — a number expected to cross 700 by midnight. The sheer volume signals that nearly every department will be under the scanner, making this 10-day session a high-pressure test of accountability.
Disaster Questions Dominate
A large chunk of queries revolves around the devastation caused by last monsoon’s landslides and floods. MLAs want answers on blocked roads, pending compensation claims, damaged infrastructure, and future safeguards. The shadow of the disaster still looms large, and legislators from both hills and valleys are determined to demand clarity.
Beyond Disasters: Everyday Concerns
It’s not just about monsoon damage. Questions on water supply interruptions, health service shortages, power cuts, and illegal mining hotspots have surged. Departments like irrigation, PWD, energy, health, and home affairs are expected to face a grilling.
Political Battle Lines
The opposition is gearing up for a multi-front offensive, targeting the government’s handling of disasters, financial stress, and delayed development projects. The ruling Congress, meanwhile, is preparing to defend itself with data, expenditure records, and welfare achievements, hoping to shift the narrative toward its restoration efforts and new approvals.
A Race Against Time
Officials admit the government faces a daunting task: preparing responses to hundreds of questions across sectors in just days. One insider described it as “a test of both speed and transparency.”
What Lies Ahead
With an extended calendar, unprecedented scrutiny, and lingering public anger over slow reconstruction, the Tapovan House is set for drama. For MLAs, it’s a rare chance to raise constituency issues at length. For the government, it’s a trial of endurance and credibility.
Whether this winter session becomes a turning point or just another political battlefield remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: Himachal’s longest winter session is already shaping up to be its most demanding yet.
