'Don't Play Politics, Haven't Given Such Statement': Himachal CM Hits Out At BJP Amid 'Bihar Migrant' Remark Row

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has said that politics is being played over the 'Bihari architects' remark issue, adding that he never gave any such statement.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asked for the source from where his alleged remarks that 'Bihari architect is responsible for destruction in the state' came and slammed the BJP asking them not to play politics. Notably, a media report earlier quoted the CM as saying that people construct houses in the hill states without applying scientific methods. It was claimed in the report that Sukhu blamed the migrant workers from Bihar, who work as masons, for the destruction in the state. He allegedly said that these people do not have any idea about the scientific methods that should be applied while the construction of houses and construct 'floor on floor'.

"People construct houses without applying scientific methods. In recently made buildings, the drainage system is very poor. People believe they are draining the water without knowing that water is going nowhere but into the hills, making them fragile. Shimla is more than one and a half-century old, and its drainage system was excellent. Now, there are buildings in the nullahs (runlets). The houses, which are collapsing these days have not gone through the standards of structural engineering. The migrant architects (masons), whom I call ‘Bihari architects’, come here and construct floor on floor. We do not have local masons," an Indian Express report quoted CM Sukhu as saying.

On Thursday, Union minister Anurag Thakur criticised the Congress for 'showing its true colours by insulting people of Bihar by blaming them for the destruction caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh'.

#WATCH | Shimla: "Govt is doing everything possible to prevent any further loss of lives and we are working on restoration of roads...": Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on flood situation in the state pic.twitter.com/XtEgzk4cBi

— ANI (@ANI) August 18, 2023

Reacting to it, Sukhu said, " I have not given any statement like this. From where this statement came? Please ask them not to play politics..." He further said that all the four MPs from Himachal Pradesh should have at least raised the issue related to relief work in the Parliament.

Sukhu said that the state government is doing everything possible to prevent any further loss of lives and is working on the restoration of roads.

"There have been damages worth Rs 10,000 crore in Himachal Pradesh. Today, we will declare it as 'state disaster' and a notification will be released as well," he added.