October23
Former CM alleges Congress has stalled development, increased state debt to ₹1.20 lakh crore; claims ₹600 crore worth of works were undertaken in Rohru under previous BJP regime
Rohru/Shimla: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur launched a sharp attack on the Congress government, accusing it of slowing development, increasing the state’s debt burden and failing to fulfil its promises. Addressing a felicitation ceremony for newly elected public representatives and a party workers’ conference in Rohru, Thakur said Himachal Pradesh needed a “double-engine government” to accelerate development and restore the pace of public welfare projects.
Thakur alleged that the state had been pushed backwards in development over the past four years under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He claimed that the state’s debt had risen to around ₹1.20 lakh crore and accused the government of focusing more on retaining power than addressing public concerns. He also criticised the closure or withholding of funds for several institutions and welfare initiatives, describing the administration as “lock-priya” and “loan-priya”.
Referring to Rohru, Thakur claimed that development works worth ₹600 crore were undertaken in the constituency during the previous BJP government’s tenure from 2017 to 2022. He alleged that the present government had neglected the region and said the enthusiasm witnessed at the gathering reflected growing support for the BJP. He also accused the Congress leadership of distancing itself from a leader whose name, he said, had helped the party win elections in Rohru in the past.
Welfare schemes and rural development under fire
The Leader of the Opposition accused the Congress government of discontinuing or withholding funds for welfare schemes introduced during the previous BJP regime, including Jan Manch, Himcare, Sahara and Swavalamban. He claimed that the move had adversely affected ordinary residents and alleged that the government had failed to introduce comparable new initiatives.
Thakur said major infrastructure projects, including four-lane highways and rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, were being supported by the Centre. He alleged that funds provided by the Narendra Modi-led government were not being utilised effectively for development and disaster relief, and claimed that the state administration was being run under the influence of political associates rather than elected ministers.
He also criticised the state government’s handling of the panchayat elections, alleging that attempts had been made to delay the polls. According to Thakur, the BJP’s legal battle, which reached the Supreme Court, helped ensure that the elections were held. He said the results reflected public dissatisfaction with the Congress government, while accusing it of making fresh promises, including proposals for creating new districts, without fulfilling earlier guarantees.
Debt and political rivalry dominate attack
On the state’s financial position, Thakur claimed that the previous BJP government had raised loans of approximately ₹19,600 crore during its tenure, while the current Congress government had increased the debt burden substantially. He alleged that the state’s liabilities had risen from around ₹69,000 crore to ₹1.20 lakh crore and called for greater financial discipline.
Targeting the Congress leadership, he also referred to factionalism within the ruling party, saying internal differences had become evident during the Chief Minister’s visits to Rohru and Rampur. He accused the government of spending heavily on publicity while neglecting development work and the needs of people in remote areas.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Thakur said India had strengthened its position in the global economy since 2014. He also referred to improvements in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as an example of the Centre’s governance.
Thakur said the BJP’s performance in the Shimla Zila Parishad, where the party had returned to prominence after 26 years, along with the enthusiasm of party workers, indicated that the opposition was preparing for the next Assembly elections with confidence. He predicted that the BJP would return to power in Himachal Pradesh, including in Rohru.
Former minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap, Chopal MLA Balbir Verma, former MLA Khushi Ram Balnatah, former candidate Shashibala, senior BJP leaders, party workers and newly elected public representatives attended the event.
The allegations against the Congress government were made by Thakur at the party gathering. The claims regarding state finances, development expenditure and welfare schemes were not independently verified in the account of the event.
