Shimla: In a statement issued from Shimla, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the BJP governments of all the concerned states for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Kishau Dam project. He stated that the efforts made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Ministers of other BJP-ruled states played a crucial role in bringing this ambitious project to fruition. During the previous BJP government, when the central government initiated the project, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and the Congress government in Rajasthan created obstacles. Both governments consistently held back in contributing their share, hindering the project’s progress. With the change of power in Delhi and Rajasthan, and the establishment of BJP governments, the path was paved for the project’s completion while protecting Himachal’s interests.
The Leader of the Opposition stated that due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, other states have agreed to proceed with the implementation of this project, keeping Himachal Pradesh’s interests in mind. Delhi has now agreed to share 75% of the cost, and Rajasthan 25%, after which the MoU was signed. During the time of the Indi-Bloc Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi and the Congress government in Rajasthan, they were unable to agree on their share of the water. This also delayed the project’s construction. Today, the project’s cost is estimated to be around ₹15,000 crore, compared to approximately ₹11.5 billion five years ago.
Jai Ram Thakur said that if BJP governments had been in power in Delhi and Rajasthan at that time, the project would have progressed significantly by now. However, due to various political considerations, non-BJP governments prevented the project from progressing. When the BJP came to power at the center, as well as in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Rajasthan, at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, all states readily accepted Himachal Pradesh’s request, keeping its interests in mind.
Jairam Thakur said that the Chief Minister has a habit of lying, which is why he is blaming the previous government. The previous BJP government also took good care of Himachal’s interests, which is why this agreement was not reached. If Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had been in control of this agreement, it wouldn’t have taken four years. It became possible only when circumstances were favorable and the Bharatiya Janata Party formed governments in Delhi and Rajasthan, the states that receive water from the Kishau Dam.
Jai Ram Thakur said that instead of patting his own back, the Chief Minister should express his gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the Chief Ministers of the concerned states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party, because without their consent and positive thinking this work would not have been possible.
