BJP makes Himachal’s financial crisis poll issue in Haryana, J&K

SHIMLA: The BJP has turned Himachal Pradesh’s financial crisis into a key talking point during its Assembly election campaigns in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir.

Party leaders are highlighting the state’s financial difficulties and the delayed payment of salaries to state employees as part of their strategy to target the Congress. Prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president JP Nadda, Union Minister Anurag Thakur and former Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur are taking aim at the Congress on multiple fronts.

In news for wrong reasons

Two recent events in Himachal Pradesh have made national headlines, which the BJP is capitalising on in its campaign. For the first time in the state’s history, employee salaries were delayed, paid only on September 5 instead of the usual 1st. Pension payments followed on September 10.

The BJP is portraying this as an economic crisis under the Congress government, while Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has described the delay as a necessary measure for financial discipline to avoid additional interest on loans.

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CM Sukhu’s economic ‘failure’

Local BJP leaders in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir have joined the campaign, pointing to Himachal as an example of the Congress’ alleged failure to manage the economy. BJP spokesperson Randhir Sharma said, “The financial failure of the Himachal government is being used as a campaign point to show Congress’ incapability in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir.”

In response, Congress has deployed top leaders, including Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and former Union Minister Anand Sharma, as star campaigners to counter BJP’s narrative. Congress leaders argue that the financial situation is under control, with CM Sukhu explaining the delayed payments as part of a calculated financial strategy rather than a sign of crisis.

Mixed response on mosque issue

Meanwhile, another issue stirring controversy is the handling of the Sanjauli mosque issue, which the BJP is also using in its campaign. BJP leaders accuse the Himachal Congress of inconsistency, with ministers and MLAs sending mixed signals on the issue.

Naresh Chauhan, Congress state vice-president, strongly rejected the BJP’s claims of a financial crisis, calling the BJP’s campaign in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir a political ploy.