Kamlesh Thakur Criticizes Hoshiar Singh and BJP Over By-Election Costs

Dehra: Congress candidate Kamlesh Thakur has criticized the former independent MLA Hoshiar Singh for resigning just 14 months into his term, triggering a by-election in the Dehra assembly constituency. Speaking during her campaign on Tuesday, Kamlesh Thakur said, “The development of Dehra can only be ensured by the Congress. All significant work in this area was completed during the Congress government’s tenure. The independent MLA whom the public elected for five years found himself in a ‘compartment’ after just 14 months, and now we are having the same exam again as in 2022.”

Kamlesh Thakur pointed out that Hoshiar Singh’s resignation and subsequent decision to run again in the by-election was unnecessary, questioning, “Why did he resign? He did not aim to become the Prime Minister.” She further accused the BJP of imposing unnecessary by-elections, which have cost the public 100-150 crore rupees. “If the former independent MLA intended to join the BJP, he could have supported them without resigning. This unnecessary by-election has halted the region’s development.”

Thakur criticized the BJP for failing to address key issues, adding, “Had there been no by-elections, development projects in the area would have been in full swing. Children’s employment opportunities would not have stalled, and they would have been appointed through government exams. The repeated imposition of the model code of conduct has halted development work, and exams are not being conducted, causing children to become overage. The BJP is to blame for this. They have no issues to discuss; instead, they are questioning my origins, whereas I was born and educated in Dehra. My maternal home and land are here.”

She also addressed allegations about her roots, emphasizing, “I am from Dehra, unlike the BJP candidate who was born in Mumbai and spends most of his time in Mumbai and Canada. After the election, I will work from Shimla to ensure your work is done because most public issues are resolved at the Secretariat.”

Kamlesh Thakur promised to address local issues at the grassroots level, saying, “After winning the election, I will visit each panchayat and resolve problems by staying in each panchayat for a day. Dehra has suffered for 25 years, but this suffering will end after July 13.”

She concluded by highlighting the negligence of the former independent MLA towards Dehra and appealed to the voters, “This election is for three and a half years. I am not fond of politics; I am contesting on the orders of the high command. If my work is good, the people of Dehra will ask me to contest again. The region is about to get a well-established Chief Minister, so give your vote as a blessing to the Congress candidate and your daughter on July 10.”