Mandi: Former Chief Minister and current Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has launched a scathing attack on the state Congress government over the Mandi Municipal Corporation elections, and specifically the events in the Behna and Dohndi wards. Jai Ram Thakur alleged that the Congress party has insulted the sentiments of the voters of the Dohndi ward and that the people here will now respond to this betrayal by “playing games” in the upcoming elections.
During an informal conversation with reporters in Mandi, Jairam Thakur stated that, like the Baihna ward, the people of Dohndi ward had also decided to boycott the elections to protest local issues and the inclusion of rural areas in the municipal corporation. Respecting this public demand, the area had urged all candidates to withdraw their nominations.
According to Jairam Thakur, the Bharatiya Janata Party and other independent candidates had agreed to the public sentiment and their collective decision. In accordance with this decision, all candidates appeared at the office of the SDM Balh at the appointed time to withdraw their nominations.
The Leader of the Opposition launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, saying that while the BJP and other candidates had gone to the office to withdraw their nominations in the public interest, the Congress candidate had not reached the office. Jairam Thakur said, “The Congress candidate’s absence shows that she and her party are acting against public sentiment. The game Congress has played with the people of Dohndi ward has once again exposed the party’s duplicity.”
He said that when the entire ward is protesting in unison and talking about boycotting the elections, then the Congress candidate’s non-arrival there makes it clear that he does not care about public sentiments.
The former Chief Minister recalled that his then-BJP government had formed the Municipal Corporation by incorporating some rural areas into Mandi city, in keeping with public sentiment. At that time, the government had assured the people that if rural areas faced any inconvenience, the process of excluding them would be considered.
Jairam Thakur alleged that after the change of power, the current Congress government paid no attention to this important issue. He said, “Instead of solving the people’s problems, the government has forcibly imposed elections. The public now feels betrayed.”
Jai Ram Thakur directly appealed to the voters of Dohndi ward to be aware of their rights.
He further stated that Congress has already accepted its defeat in these elections. Now, it is resorting to new tactics and politicking to promote its favorites. The Leader of the Opposition expressed confidence that the public will deliver a befitting reply to Congress through the elections and avenge this betrayal with their votes.
