Leader of Opposition attacks Sukhu government in Mandi, says Centre is being blamed to cover failures
Munish Sood
Mandi
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, alleging that spreading rumours, pushing false narratives, and deliberately misleading the public has become Congress’ political identity.
Addressing a special awareness campaign and a BJP district-level workshop in Mandi, Thakur accused the Sukhu-led state government of creating confusion over the intensive revision of electoral rolls and the Centre’s ambitious rural employment initiative, “Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Gramin).”
He said the Congress government was misinforming people about the Union Budget and central policies in an attempt to divert attention from its own administrative shortcomings, slowing development pace, and worsening economic mismanagement.
Senior BJP leaders including local MLA Anil Sharma, party spokesperson Ajay Rana, district president Nihal Chand Sharma, district in-charge Baldev Bhandari, co-incharge Bhimsen Sharma, and Mayor Virendra Bhatt were present at the event. Party workers resolved to intensify grassroots outreach against what they termed Congress’ “campaign of misinformation.”
“CM Must Introspect Instead of Blaming the Centre”
Speaking to the media later, Thakur strongly criticised Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for what he called a habitual tendency to blame the Central government for every issue.
He urged the Chief Minister to focus on addressing Himachal Pradesh’s deteriorating financial situation rather than targeting BJP MPs and engaging in political आरोप-प्रत्यारोप.
Thakur also responded to Sukhu’s recent remarks in Bilaspur regarding the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). He said he was prepared to accompany the Chief Minister anywhere, anytime, in the interest of the state, but added that Sukhu must first learn to present Himachal’s case effectively before the Centre.
He pointed out that Congress was raising unnecessary alarm over RDG, despite the fact that the Central government had long indicated, in line with Finance Commission recommendations, that such grants would be phased out gradually.
Thakur further highlighted that the latest Union Budget includes several measures benefiting hill states, citing the “historic 10 percent increase” in the state’s share of central taxes as a key example.
He asserted that the Sukhu government must stop using the Centre as a scapegoat to hide its inability to fulfil its own guarantees, adding that the people of Himachal Pradesh have now begun to recognise what he called Congress’ “political deception.”
Jairam Thakur Turns Emotional While Recalling Seraj Tragedy
Later in the day, an emotional moment unfolded when Jairam Thakur, who represents Seraj, attended the annual programme “Aadyant” organised by the Seraj Students Welfare Association at Sanskrit Sadan in Mandi.
After a ceremonial welcome, Thakur became visibly overwhelmed while addressing students, recalling the devastating natural disaster that struck Seraj on June 29, 2025.
Calling it one of the darkest nights in the region’s history, he said the tragedy claimed 33 innocent lives in a single night, while 22 people remain missing even today.
Sharing his grief with the audience, Thakur appealed to the youth to stand united in rebuilding Seraj. He expressed confidence that with collective strength, cultural values, and public support, the region would once again emerge as a model area on the path of development.
