Munish Sood
MANDI
Jawahar Thakur, former BJP MLA from Darang in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, has accused both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP of abandoning his constituency in the face of one of the worst monsoon disasters in recent history.
Speaking to the media in Mandi, Jawahar Thakur, who represented the constituency in 2017, said that while Seraj bore the maximum brunt of this season’s rain, Darang too had suffered destruction almost at par, yet not expected relief and rehabilitation measures were launched in the area. He alleged that Mandi BJP MP Kangana Ranaut, current BJP MLA from Darang Puran Chand Thakur and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had left the rain-hit people to fend for themselves.
“This was the century’s longest and most destructive spell of rain, something our next generations will remember with fear,” Jawahar Thakur said. He pointed out that at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, cloudbursts, landslides and ground fissures wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh.
In Mandi district alone, several lives were lost, while farmers and orchardists suffered heavy losses with crops of apple, potato, cabbage and beans destroyed.
Claims damage in Darang almost equivalent to Seraj
Jawahar Thakur estimated that if Seraj constituency saw 90 per cent devastation, Darang has endured nearly 80 per cent damage, yet authorities have not even conducted a proper assessment.
“Neither the ruling Congress nor the opposition BJP has come to wipe the tears of the affected people. Senior district officials too have failed to take stock of the situation. Darang has been left orphaned in this disaster,” he said.
Says Jai Ram Thakur’s relief visit was ‘symbolic’
The former MLA also took aim at former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who recently visited Darang to distribute relief kits. “Ration packets are not the solution. Two days of food cannot replace long-term relief and rehabilitation. What Darang needs is administrative intervention, not photo opportunities,” he said.
He reminded Jai Ram Thakur of his pre-election statement that Darang would be his responsibility. “Now is the time to honor that commitment by ensuring genuine relief measures and rehabilitation,” he said.
Local Leaders Missing, MP Absent
In a pointed remark, Jawahar Thakur said, “Neither the local MLA (Puran Chand Thakur of BJP) is visible on the ground nor has MP Kangana Ranaut, who won by over five lakh votes, shown her face to the people of Darang.”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Jawahar Thakur said several villages are slowly sinking due to repeated landslides. Key stretches of roads remain blocked, leaving remote areas cut off. Katola market, a key commercial hub, is on the verge of collapse while areas spanning Chohar Valley, Uttarsal-Katola, Aut sub-tehsil, Sanor and Badar have suffered widespread destruction.
“No preventive measures are being taken to save villages that are sliding into disaster,” Jawahar Thakur warned.
