Congress Govt Pushing Himachal into Economic Crisis, Imposing Jaziya-like Tax on Faith: Bikram

Shimla, May 5 – Former Industries Minister Bikram Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, accusing it of economic mismanagement, industrial decline, rising unemployment, and a direct assault on religious faith.

He criticized the imposition of a tax on the Churdhar temple route, comparing it to the historic “Jaziya” tax, claiming it hurts the sentiments of 97% of the state’s Hindu population. “From temples like Chintpurni and Naina Devi to now Churdhar, this government is targeting faith to fill its empty coffers,” he said.

Thakur lamented the collapse of industrial confidence in the state, stating that during the BJP regime, Himachal had emerged as an attractive investment destination under the Centre’s IDIP scheme, attracting Rs 1,000 crore. “Now, under Congress, 60% of industrial output has dropped and hundreds of businesses are shutting down, directly impacting thousands of families,” he added.

He alleged misuse of Section 118 to harass investors and favor only a select few with political connections, warning that BJP has full details of these “brokers” in the Secretariat and will expose them at the right time.

Thakur further accused the government of failing to deliver on employment promises. “The CM denied in the House that the Congress promised 5 lakh jobs, even though the Speaker himself had confirmed this from the manifesto,” he said.

He concluded by urging the people of Himachal to choose between the Congress’s “deception, temple tax, and anti-industry stance” or BJP’s vision of truth and development.