Shimla, April 2 -- The opposition BJP staged a walkout from the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Wednesday, protesting the state government's refusal to hold a detailed discussion on controversial changes to the panchayati raj reservation roster. The move followed the rejection of an adjournment motion moved by BJP MLA Randhir Sharma under Rule 67, which sought to address allegations of constitutional violations. Leader of opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur accused the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government of "tampering with the democratic process" by introducing last-minute changes ahead of the upcoming elections. Thakur alleged that the government issued a backdated notification on March 30 to bypass transparency, specifically targeting a new provision that allows deputy commissioners (DCs) to alter reservation allocations by up to 5%. "Panchayats are the basic units of democracy. Granting such discretionary powers to officials is unjustified and compromises the fairness of elections," Thakur told reporters after the walkout. He questioned why this provision was introduced for panchayats when no such system exists for urban local bodies, labelling it an attempt to benefit government supporters. While the five-year term for panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) ended in January 2026, the state government had sought delays citing disaster-related concerns. However, the Himachal Pradesh high court directed that elections be held by April 30, a deadline the Supreme Court later extended to the end of May. BJP MLA Randhir Sharma termed the 5% discretionary quota unconstitutional and a violation of the Panchayati Raj Act and Article 243D. He alleged that the notification was issued unilaterally without consulting the state election commission or inviting public objections. The opposition alleged that the administrative tactics are a pretext to stall the democratic process. While the House was adjourned shortly after the motion was raised, the BJP vowed to continue its protest. The BJP staged a protest outside the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Wednesday, accusing the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government of undermining constitutional provisions to deliberately delay the panchayat elections. Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur alleged that the government introduced changes to the reservation roster through a backdated notification issued on March 30. He claimed that empowering deputy commissioners to alter up to 5% of reservation allocations violates Article 243D of the Constitution, asserting that reservation must remain strictly based on population and rotation. Thakur warned that granting discretionary powers to officials would distort representation across panchayat, block, and district levels, particularly impacting seats reserved for women. Addressing reporters ahead of the assembly proceedings, Thakur alleged that the Sukhu government is attempting to avoid the panchayat elections through administrative and legal tactics. While the elections were constitutionally mandated for December, Thakur said the government only moved forward after the Himachal Pradesh high court directed that they be held by April. The state subsequently approached the Supreme Court citing natural disaster-related concerns, but the apex court rejected the plea and ordered the completion of elections by the end of May. The BJP said these "arbitrary roster changes" weaken grassroots democracy and damage democratic institutions. The opposition has now sought a detailed discussion on the floor of the House, terming the government's interference a serious violation of democratic norms....