Himachal Pradeshs former Congress legislators — Sudhir Sharma and Rajinder Rana — have initiated legal action against the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for alleged defamation, following his MLA sold for Rs 15 crore remarks during recent political rallies. The two MLAs, who have now joined the BJP and are contesting bypolls as saffron partys candidates, were disqualified from the state assembly for defying a party whip during the budget session.   Sharma, seeking reelection from Dharamshala assembly constituency, on Sunday lodged a police complaint against Sukhu for defamation over his remark against MLAs who switch sides from Congress to BJP. The move came days after he had sent a defamation notice to Sukhu, demanding Rs five crore in compensation for the Chief Ministers damaging remarks.   Sharmas legal counsel argued that Sukhus baseless accusations had tarnished the MLAs reputation, causing irreparable harm to his public image and standing in the community. Sharma, a four-time MLA and seasoned politician, emphasized that Sukhus inflammatory rhetoric lacked substance and integrity, calling for the registration of an FIR against the Chief Minister.   In his complaint addressed to the Superintendent of Police of Kangra and the state police chief, the four-time MLA said: Recently, a video and media reports have surfaced in my constituency regarding a misleading speech by Sukhu at Kutlehar in Una district on April 4 making a baseless allegation that legislators were sold for Rs 15 crore each…It is deeply concerning that public funds were used by the Chief Minister to travel to Kutlehar and spread lies. His speech, lacking any evidence, has created offensive content that has spread widely, both within the state and beyond.   Such defamatory statements by a person of Chief Ministers stature are highly irresponsible and have caused significant harm to my reputation, as well as to the sentiments of my family and supporters. I urge you to take immediate action and register an FIR against the chief minister for criminal defamation and misleading the masses in his capacity as a public servant, he added in the complaint.   Similarly, a three-time MLA and BJP candidate from Sujanpur assembly seat Rajinder Rana on Sunday also sent a defamation notice to Sukhu, highlighting the Chief Ministers disparaging remarks during political rallies. Rana, a respected leader with a strong grassroots following, condemned Sukhus attempts to malign his character and reputation. In a scathing rebuke, Rana accused Sukhu of resorting to slanderous tactics to discredit his political opponents, undermining the principles of fair play and democratic discourse.   Ranas legal counsel underscored the gravity of Sukhus defamatory statements, arguing that such malicious allegations had caused significant harm to Ranas public image and reputation. The defamation notice issued by Rana demanded an apology from Sukhu and sought substantial damages for the unwarranted attack on Ranas character.   The notice stated that in the past few weeks, the CM Sukhu has been painting Ranas character as a venal politician who has been purchased by the BJP. The malicious, baseless, fake, fabricated, concocted, defamatory, malafide and motivated speeches and statements made by the CM have harmed and damaged the reputation of Rana and adversely affected his public image built over years, it added.   Rana also alleged that the kind of language used by the Chief Minister does not match with the proud culture and decency of Himachal Pradesh.   Both Sharma and Rana were among the nine MLAs — six Congress rebels and three Independents — who voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27.   The Congress rebels were disqualified by the Speaker for defying a whip to be present in the assembly and vote in favour of the government during the cut motions and budget. All the nine legislators later joined BJP and the Congress rebels were fielded by the saffron party from their respective constituencies.   At a rally in Kutlehar on Thursday Sukhu alleged that the six Congress rebels and three Independents were sold for Rs 15 crore each. A day later, addressing a gathering in Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Sukhu dubbed Sharma as the kingpin of rebels and alleged that he must have received more than Rs 15 crore.

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