Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, refuted BJP’s involvement in the anticipated collapse of the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, attributing it instead to internal errors and shortcomings.
Addressing the ‘Panna Pramukh’ conference at Kansa Maidan in Balh Assembly Constituency of Mandi district, Thakur highlighted the failures of the Congress-led administration. He emphasized that while the people of the state had entrusted the Congress government with a five-year term, internal mismanagement had led to its downfall. Thakur pointed out that BJP’s victory in the Rajya Sabha seat and the resignation of six Congress rebel MLAs indicated the party’s internal disarray, rather than BJP’s interference.
Encouraging BJP workers to rally for victory, Thakur asserted that Congress leaders underestimated the significance of the ‘Panna Pramukh’ conference, which he believed would undermine the party’s influence.
Thakur also criticized Congress candidate Vikramaditya Singh for allegedly neglecting the interests of the Mandi constituency. He questioned Singh’s silence regarding the diversion of funds by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, suggesting that Singh’s lack of opposition indicated acquiescence to such actions.
Accusing Congress of deceiving women with unfulfilled promises, Thakur denounced the party’s failure to provide the promised Rs 1500 assistance. He claimed that Congress, under Sukhu’s leadership, neglected to allocate funds for disaster relief efforts, despite receiving substantial aid from the central government.
Later, addressing another ‘Panna Pramukh’ conference at Taryambali in Darrang Assembly constituency, Thakur criticized Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur for making personal attacks instead of focusing on political issues. He condemned Sukhu’s behavior, labeling him as the most authoritarian Chief Minister in the state’s history, and urged him to refrain from baseless accusations against BJP leaders.
Thakur reiterated that the turmoil within the Congress government stemmed from internal mismanagement, absolving BJP of any responsibility for the impending political upheaval.
