Rural Himachal Ready to Teach Congress a Lesson: Jairam Thakur

Mandi
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress government during an intensive election campaign in the Seraj Assembly constituency, claiming that the people of urban areas have already delivered their verdict against the ruling dispensation.

Addressing public meetings at Gadagushaini and Bagadathach under the Broyogi Zila Parishad ward in support of BJP-backed candidate Rohit Thakur, Jairam Thakur said the overwhelming support from people and party workers clearly indicated a sweeping victory for BJP-supported candidates in all Zila Parishad wards of Seraj.

Thanking voters for peaceful polling in the urban local body elections, he alleged that the Congress government had tried to delay the elections after sensing defeat, but the polls were eventually conducted following directions from the Supreme Court.

“The people have expressed their anger against the present Congress government through their votes. Urban voters have given a clear message and now rural areas are also ready to teach the government a lesson,” he said.

Targeting the state government over development issues, the BJP leader alleged that developmental works across Himachal Pradesh had come to a complete standstill after the devastating natural disaster in the state. He accused the Congress government of pushing the state towards a severe financial crisis due to “financial mismanagement”.

He further claimed that despite adequate financial assistance being provided by the Centre without political discrimination, the state government was failing to utilise funds effectively on the ground. According to him, no major development work had started in the state even months after the monsoon disaster, adversely affecting infrastructure projects and local employment opportunities.

Jairam Thakur also alleged that several welfare benefits meant for rural people through panchayats had been withheld, leading to widespread resentment among the public, especially women.

In another sharp attack, the former Chief Minister accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress government of spreading misinformation through social media during the election campaign. Referring to a viral video linked to the Sundernagar incident, he alleged that an old clip was being circulated as recent election propaganda to gain political mileage.

He further accused the government and its PR machinery of running a campaign based on “lies and propaganda” and claimed that the people of the state would give a befitting reply in the upcoming elections.