Moving the motion of thanks on the Governor's address in the state assembly, Sukh Ram said there had been serious attempts from the Congress to spoil HVC's relations with the BJP, but the Dhumal government would last for another four years. He pledged that even if the Vajpayee government at the Centre fell, it would not have any bearing on the future of the state government.

The HVC president used the opportunity to his best to make former chief minister Virbhadra Singh a direct target of his attacks. The House witnessed bitter clashes between the Congress members and Sukh Ram and Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur had to intervene repeatedly to get the remarks expunged against Sukh Ram and also those made by Sukh Ram against the rivals.

But soon after Sukh Ram, it was the turn of senior Congress member Kaul Singh Thakur, who initiated the debate on behalf of the Opposition, to level serious allegations of corruption, blackmail and cheap political tactics against Sukh Ram.

Thakur also counselled Dhumal to resist from all pressure tactics of Sukh Ram and function in an independently and fair manner. The Congress MLA, who has also been the Speaker of the assembly, said due to repeated threats, pressures and blackmailing by Sukh Ram, Chief Minister and his government were facing an invisible uncertainty which had been adversely affecting the functioning of the government. The support of the HVC should not be taken for granted, he advised Dhumal. Moving the motion earlier, Sukh Ram claimed that the BJP-HVC government had been able to restore democracy in the state by overthrowing feudal and autocratic rule of Virbhadra Singh in March last year. He complimented Dhumal for successfully managing he state's financial position and ridiculed the Congress for its protests on the power tariff hike. He accused the previous Congress government of dismal performance, delay in exploitation of hydel potential and worsening of the conditions of roads. Misuse of public money, politicisation ofthe employees and diversion of funds to Rampur and Rohru, were other charges he levelled. Sukh Ram said he was made victim of a bigger political conspiracy and Virbhadra Singh was actively involved in it.

Joining issue with him, Kaul Singh Thakur said the Dhumal government faces an uncertain future as its very foundation was based on corruption. He said Sukh Ram had his personal agenda and some political scores to settle and there was nothing beyond that.

The motion of thanks was seconded by BJP MLA Sarveen Chaudhry, who also referred to the incidents of violence in Shimla before the formation of the government. Jai Krishan, BJP MLA, also participated in the debate.