Kangra
Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday alleged that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh had deliberately stalled development works in Dharamshala after BJP leader Sudhir Sharma won from the constituency, accusing the ruling dispensation of pursuing “politics of revenge”.
Addressing a BJP workers’ convention at Dari in Dharamshala during the Municipal Corporation election campaign, the former chief minister said the state government had failed to carry forward key infrastructure and Smart City projects in the region. He claimed that despite repeated announcements, the Congress government had not even prepared the DPR for pending Smart City works.
“The development of Dharamshala was intentionally stopped after a BJP MLA was elected from the constituency,” Thakur said, adding that the state government was working with a “vindictive mindset” instead of focusing on public welfare.
Seeking support for BJP candidates in all 17 wards of the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation, Thakur said a BJP-led civic body was essential for ensuring planned urban development and transparency in governance. He assured party workers and residents that the BJP would secure adequate financial support from the Centre for the city’s development projects.
The Leader of Opposition also questioned the status of the proposed international convention centre planned under the Asian Development Bank (ADB) project. He said around ₹200 crore had been earmarked during the previous BJP government for the project, but alleged that the present government had failed to utilise the funds properly.
Targeting the Congress government, Thakur said Dharamshala could not become a tourism capital or smart city through “mere speeches and slogans”. He claimed that the BJP government had earlier helped bring national and international recognition to Dharamshala through major events and infrastructure initiatives.
Thakur further alleged that people across Himachal Pradesh were disappointed with the Congress government over unfulfilled guarantees, administrative failures and rising public dissatisfaction, and said the civic elections would reflect the mood of the people.
