Jairam Thakur Accuses Sukhu of Misleading People, Says Even Congress Leaders Are Troubled

Shimla, Oct 22 : Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress government while addressing a felicitation ceremony for newly elected public representatives and a party workers’ meeting in Theog.

Thakur alleged that the recent Panchayati Raj election results reflected public dissatisfaction with the Congress government and expressed confidence that the BJP would return to power with a strong majority in the next Assembly elections.

Accusing the government of closing institutions established during the previous BJP regime, Thakur alleged that development work had suffered and that the Congress had failed to fulfil its electoral guarantees. He cited promises relating to monthly financial assistance for women and government jobs for youth, claiming that the government had failed to deliver on its commitments.

Thakur also criticised the state government’s financial management, claiming that Himachal Pradesh’s debt had increased from around ₹69,000 crore in 2022 to ₹1.15 lakh crore under the present government. He questioned the need for additional borrowing when, according to him, development activities had slowed.

On the proposed creation of new districts, he alleged that the move was intended to divert public attention from the government’s performance. He said a BJP government would review the decisions if they were found to be driven by political considerations.

Referring to the Panchayati Raj elections, Thakur claimed that the Congress had attempted to delay the polls but that the BJP had approached the Supreme Court to protect democratic rights. He also alleged that the election results had triggered differences within the ruling party, with ministers and the Chief Minister blaming each other for the outcome.

Highlighting the BJP’s welfare initiatives, Thakur referred to Himcare, Sahara, Grihini Suvidha and Mukhyamantri Swavalamban Yojana, asserting that people continued to remember the schemes introduced during the previous BJP government.

He urged newly elected representatives and party workers to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level and work towards the BJP’s return to power. BJP MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, MP Suresh Kashyap, senior party leaders and a large number of local workers attended the event.