Munish Sood
MANDI
In one of the sharpest political exchanges in recent months, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday launched a strong attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, accusing him of turning a relief programme in Mandi into a “political event driven by anger and arrogance.”
Speaking at a press conference in Mandi, Thakur described Sukhu as “the most shameless Chief Minister in Himachal’s history” and alleged that the event was organised “not to help disaster victims but to target opponents.”
“The entire Mandi programme was not for disaster relief. It was held only to abuse me. The Chief Minister came not with empathy, but with frustration,” Thakur said.
Opposition kept away from event, says BJP
The BJP leader claimed that opposition legislators were deliberately kept out of the Mandi relief event to make it “a one-sided political show.”
“If the Chief Minister says opposition MLAs were invited, he should show the invitation cards. It was not about relief, it was about rhetoric,” he added.
Thakur said the language used by the Chief Minister was “beneath the dignity of his office” and alleged that the government’s approach to the disaster had been “cold and insensitive.”
Allegations against Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi
Thakur also criticised Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, accusing him of making remarks that “insulted the Indian Army and the Prime Minister.”
“When people were stranded, the Army was ready to help, but the minister refused coordination. He insulted the Prime Minister and still calls himself a patriot,” Thakur alleged.
He added that Negi’s conduct reflected “the nervousness of the Chief Minister himself.”
‘Centre provided ₹5,500 crore, but relief yet to reach people’
The former Chief Minister accused the state government of failing to deliver central assistance to disaster-affected families.
“Since 2023, the Centre has sent ₹5,500 crore for disaster relief and sanctioned 1.11 lakh PM Awas Yojana houses. Yet, only ₹81 crore has been distributed, that too after four months,” Thakur said.
He claimed that even basic road repairs from last year’s devastation remain pending.
Excise policy and contracts under scrutiny
Thakur alleged irregularities in the state’s excise policy, calling it “a copy of Delhi’s liquor model.”
“The change in excise quotas will cost the state hundreds of crores. This is Delhi’s liquor scam all over again,” he said.
He further claimed that projects were being handed to contractors from southern states instead of central public sector undertakings, and accused the government of misusing Section 118 of the Land Act for “extortion and political commissions.”
‘Debt and deceit define the government’
The BJP leader said the Sukhu government had “pushed Himachal into financial distress,” with total debt nearing ₹40,000 crore.
“People are struggling for basic needs while the government is busy increasing taxes. Even contractors are being forced to pay commissions to get their dues,” he alleged.
‘Relief driven by people, not government’
Thakur credited citizens and BJP workers for relief efforts, saying they carried supplies on foot to remote villages while the government “failed to deliver immediate aid.”
“People trusted society, not the government. Those who couldn’t provide even ₹2,500 to victims have no right to claim moral high ground,” he said.
‘Insensitive and directionless leadership’
Citing administrative lapses, Thakur said the Chief Minister “failed to visit Bilaspur even after 16 people died in a road collapse.”
“During the Assembly discussion on the disaster, he was touring Bihar for politics. His ministers are unruly, his MLAs are rebelling, and he appears helpless,” Thakur remarked.
