BHP chief expected to rebut Himachal govt’s charge that party state unit blocked central grants
TNR
Shimla: BJP national president JP Nadda arrived in Shimla on Friday afternoon to counter the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government’s allegations that state BJP leaders stalled central grants meant for Himachal Pradesh.
His visit, coming a day after the Congress government’s ‘Jan Sankalp Sammelan’ in Mandi, is being seen as the party’s formal pushback to the charges levelled by Chief Minister Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri during the rally.
Nadda is visiting the state for the first time after the BJP’s emphatic victory in the Bihar Assembly elections and the party is preparing a massive welcome for him in the state capital.
15,000-strong crowd expected at Peterhoff
To match the crowd that the Congress showcased in Mandi, the BJP has planned an “Abhinandan Samaroh” at Peterhoff on Thursday, with leaders claiming that at least 15,000 people will attend.
The mobilisation focus is on all 17 Assembly segments of the Shimla parliamentary constituency, as well as Rampur, Kinnaur, Ani and Lahaul-Spiti. Party MLAs, 2022 Assembly candidates and district-level leaders from these constituencies have reportedly been given targets to bring maximum supporters to the event.
BJP leaders claim the turnout at Peterhoff will be “as big as, if not bigger than” the gathering the Sukhu government drew at Mandi’s Paddal Ground.
Nadda expected to counter Sukhu, Agnihotri’s charges
At the Mandi rally, CM Sukhu had accused the Centre of withholding disaster relief despite the PM’s announcement, alleging that “not even a rupee” of the promised package had been released. Deputy CM Agnihotri went further, claiming the state BJP leadership was “deliberately blocking” central funds to politically corner the government.
According to party sources, Nadda will use the Peterhoff dais to blunt these allegations point by point and present the Union government’s version. BJP leaders say he will underline that the Centre has already extended ample financial assistance, including special disaster aid, and that Congress leaders are “misleading the public to hide governance failures”.
BJP chief to lay foundation of party’s new state HQ
Before the felicitation programme, Nadda will lay the foundation stone of the BJP’s new state headquarters near Jubbarhatti airport. The party has purchased 6.5 bighas there and plans a large office complex with facilities on the lines of the BJP’s national headquarters in Delhi. Provision for parking around 200 vehicles is also part of the project.
A dedicated committee has been tasked with finalising the architectural blueprint, with construction expected to begin shortly after the formal bhoomi pujan.
‘Visit will energise cadre ahead of 2027 polls’
State BJP president Rajiv Bindal said thousands of workers were ready to extend a “grand and emotional welcome” to the party chief.
“Nadda ji’s arrival has infused tremendous enthusiasm among cadres. His guidance will not only strengthen the organisation but also set the tone for the 2027 Assembly elections,” Bindal said.
He added that Nadda’s clarifications on central assistance would “expose the misinformation spread by the Congress government at the Mandi rally”.
