"No Achievements,Investment or Employment in Four Years": Bikram Thakur

Shimla Nov 10

Before Claiming Credit for BBMB Verdict, CM Sukhu Must Explain His Contribution and Acknowledge the Struggles of Shanta Kumar and the Dhumal Government; Release White Paper on Industrial Investment, Pekhubela Project and Vimal Negi Case: Bikram Thakur

Shimla, November 10: Senior BJP leader and former Industries Minister Bikram Thakur launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress government while addressing a press conference in Shimla. He said that after nearly four years in power, the Congress government has no concrete achievements to present before the people of Himachal Pradesh.

Thakur alleged that the government’s entire tenure has been spent making false promises, indulging in political theatrics, claiming credit for decisions rooted in decades of efforts, and blaming the BJP for its own failures.

“The Chief Minister’s politics has become centred around ‘I, Me and Myself’ rather than the development of Himachal Pradesh. The people are now asking a simple question: What exactly has this government accomplished in four years?” he remarked.

How Many Industries Have Come to Himachal and How Many Youths Have Secured Employment?

Bikram Thakur challenged the Chief Minister to disclose how many new hydropower project MoUs have been signed during the last four years, how many projects have actually been implemented, and what financial benefits they have generated for the state.

He further questioned how many major industrial units have been established in Himachal Pradesh and how many employment opportunities have been created for the youth.

“I challenge the Chief Minister to publicly name even one major industrial unit that has been established in Himachal Pradesh due to the efforts of his government,” Thakur said.

He recalled that when the previous BJP government worked to attract industrial investment, Congress leaders accused it of handing over the state to industrialists.

“Today, the same Congress party is in power, but it has failed to attract significant industrial investment or generate meaningful employment opportunities for the youth,” he alleged.

Stop the Race to Claim Credit for BBMB; Do Not Forget Himachal’s Historic Struggle for Its Rights

The former Industries Minister strongly criticized Chief Minister Sukhu for what he described as an attempt to monopolize credit for the recent BBMB decision.

Thakur said that the struggle to secure Himachal Pradesh’s legitimate rights did not begin under the present government.

“Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar initiated this historic struggle in 1977, and through his efforts, Himachal Pradesh secured 15 megawatts of electricity from Bhakra. The struggle was further strengthened during the tenure of former Chief Minister Professor Prem Kumar Dhumal,” he stated.

He emphasized that the Supreme Court’s decision was the outcome of decades of legal proceedings and sustained institutional efforts.

“The Chief Minister must explain what specific legal initiatives his government undertook during the last four years that contributed to this outcome. A decision resulting from a long judicial process cannot simply be presented as the personal achievement of one individual,” Thakur asserted.

He said that the Chief Minister should acknowledge the contributions of previous governments and leaders instead of attempting to mislead the public through what he described as credit-seeking politics.

Government Must Disclose Pekhubela Project Expenditure and Power Generation; Fix Accountability in Vimal Negi Case

Bikram Thakur raised serious questions regarding the cost, procurement process and actual electricity generation of the Pekhubela Solar Power Project.

He questioned why the government was reluctant to ensure transparency in projects involving substantial public expenditure.

“How much additional expenditure has been incurred on the project since 2024? How much electricity has actually been generated, and how much revenue has the state earned? The government must make these details public,” he demanded.

Thakur called for an independent audit of the project’s expenditure, procurement procedures and operational performance.

He also demanded clarity regarding the current status of the investigation into the Vimal Negi case, the role of the officials concerned and the steps taken to establish accountability.

Debt Continues to Rise, Development Works Are Stalled, While the Government Remains Busy Celebrating

Bikram Thakur alleged that the Congress government has pushed Himachal Pradesh deeper into a debt crisis through financial mismanagement and unnecessary expenditure.

He said development activities were suffering, government employees were awaiting pending Dearness Allowance payments, and pensioners were struggling to receive their legitimate dues.

Thakur also questioned the government’s response to allegations of illegal mining and concerns regarding the law-and-order situation in the state.

“The government has an excuse for every problem but no concrete solution. The people are being offered assurances instead of action,” he said.

Where Are the Guarantees of ₹1,500 for Women, One Lakh Jobs Annually and 300 Units of Free Electricity?

Bikram Thakur accused the Congress government of failing to fulfil the major guarantees made before the Assembly elections.

He said that Congress had promised ₹1,500 to women, one lakh jobs annually for the youth and 300 units of free electricity to consumers.

“Today, the people of Himachal Pradesh are demanding accountability. How many women have received the promised financial assistance? How many youths have secured employment against the annual target of one lakh jobs? What happened to the guarantee of 300 units of free electricity?” he questioned.

Thakur further criticized the Chief Minister’s political outreach programmes, saying that wearing traditional local attire and projecting closeness to the people cannot substitute for genuine development.

“Symbolic politics cannot solve unemployment, financial distress or the everyday problems of ordinary citizens. The Chief Minister must abandon political theatrics and address the real issues confronting the state,” he said.

Government Must Agree to an Open Debate on Kishau Dam, Wildflower Hall and Other Major Issues

Bikram Thakur challenged Chief Minister Sukhu to an open public debate on BBMB, the Kishau Dam, Wildflower Hall, industrial investment, election guarantees and other major issues concerning Himachal Pradesh.

He said the Chief Minister should present verifiable figures and documented achievements instead of making repeated claims through advertisements and political speeches.

“The BJP is fully prepared to discuss every issue with facts, figures and the record of its previous governments. If the Chief Minister believes his government has delivered significant achievements, he should come forward and debate them openly,” Thakur asserted.

Concluding his remarks, Bikram Thakur said that the people of Himachal Pradesh need development and tangible results, not advertisements and political rhetoric.

“The Congress government must account for the promises it made, the decisions it took and the actual results delivered during its four years in office. The people are no longer impressed by announcements. They are evaluating this government on performance, transparency and accountability,” he said.

Thakur asserted that the people of Himachal Pradesh are demanding answers, and the Congress government can no longer hide its failures behind publicity campaigns, political theatrics and attempts to claim credit for the achievements of previous governments.