Vikramaditya Singh Challenges PM Modi on Disaster Relief Claims

Outlines Vision for Mandi’s Development

Mandi, May 25, 2024 – Congress candidate and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh has called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide detailed figures regarding the financial aid given to Himachal Pradesh during the recent natural disaster. Singh accused PM Modi of misleading the people of Mandi in his recent speech, where Modi claimed to have provided substantial financial assistance to the state. Singh clarified that while the disaster inflicted over Rs 12,000 crore in damages, the central government only allocated Rs 300 crore through the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He emphasized that these funds are routine annual allocations provided to all states for natural disaster management.

Singh criticized PM Modi for visiting the state during election time but failing to show any concern or sympathy during the disaster. He highlighted that the state government, under Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, established a Rs 4,500 crore disaster relief fund from limited resources to support the affected people. He accused the BJP of neither helping the people of the state during the disaster nor cooperating with the state government.

Addressing election rallies in Machhyan, Chontada, and Ladbharol in the Joginder Nagar constituency, Singh stated that he is seeking votes based on a vision for substantial development in Mandi, while BJP’s candidate is merely entertaining people with irrelevant talks. He stressed that politics is not a part-time job but requires constant engagement and service to the people. He urged the constituents of Mandi to choose a dedicated representative and predicted that the BJP candidate would pack up and return to Mumbai after losing on June 4. Singh claimed even BJP leaders are quietly expressing relief at the prospect of her departure.

Singh pointed out the significant developmental works in Mandi, including the establishment of IIT, a medical college, and the Kiratpur to Kullu four-lane highway, attributing these achievements to the Congress government. He outlined his priorities, such as converting Mandi into a smart city, opening a medical college and nursing college in Kullu, and constructing an indoor stadium in Joginder Nagar.

He appealed to the people to vote for him in large numbers, assuring them that as their MP, he would vigorously advocate for the development projects of both the Mandi parliamentary constituency and the state of Himachal Pradesh.