Shimla, March 9 -- Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Monday launched a sharp attack on the state government, alleging that the Congress-led dispensation has failed during its more than three-and-a-half-year tenure and that decisions in the state are being taken by a "friends' circle" rather than through the cabinet.

Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Thakur said the government was functioning under an atmosphere of fear despite the Congress enjoying a clear majority in the state Assembly.

"In more than three years and six months of its tenure, the Himachal Pradesh government has completely failed. This is a government of friends. Decisions are being taken in meetings of a 'friends' c...