Munish Sood
MANDI:
A sharp political remark by former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur set off a storm on social media on Wednesday (November 19, 2025), signalling a fresh and aggressive phase of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign in the hill state.
Addressing a press conference, Jai Ram Thakur mocked the Congress party, saying, “In Bihar, after the elections, the Congress could fit into a Bolero. In Himachal, we will ensure they fit into an Alto. Only a few will win — and anyway, an Alto is the favourite car of the Chief Minister (Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu).”
The comment — half-joke, half-warning — is being widely interpreted as the BJP’s way of telling Congress what lies ahead in Himachal’s 2027 Assembly elections.
Bihar results shift mood across parties
The recent election outcome in Bihar, where the Congress registered one of its weakest performances in decades, has boosted BJP morale across the country.
A senior political analyst observed, “One result in Bihar has completely shifted the psychological balance. The BJP feels energised and the Congress is suddenly far more cautious.”
This shift is particularly visible in Himachal Pradesh.
Sukhu’s offensive slows down
Just a few days ago, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appeared to be dominating the political narrative. He repeatedly spoke of the BJP being divided into five factions, using the alleged rift between Jai Ram Thakur and Anurag Thakur to portray the party as unstable and leaderless.
These jibes had put the BJP on the back foot, with the party struggling to counter the narrative effectively. However, following the Bihar results, the tone has changed.
According to a veteran Himachal political observer, “Sukhu had made the BJP’s internal splits a major storyline. But after Bihar, he has gone quieter. The Congress feels exposed, and the BJP has regained confidence.”
Jai Ram Thakur’s remark today is not seen merely as a taunt, but is being viewed as a strategic attempt to reposition himself and the BJP as the dominant force for 2027.
A senior political commentator explained, “Jai Ram Thakur is using humour to send a serious message — that Congress should prepare for a Bihar-like outcome in Himachal. It is also a signal to BJP cadres that he is ready to lead from the front.”
The analyst added that this is also a subtle assertion within the BJP ranks, at a time when debates about leadership and factional influence have been intensifying.
Political circles in Shimla and Delhi agree on one point: the BJP has re-entered aggressive campaign mode much earlier than expected. The party, encouraged by national electoral trends, appears determined to corner Congress on governance, leadership and internal unity.
Another analyst noted, “The Congress government is facing a resurgent BJP. Sukhu had the upper hand for a few months, but after Bihar, the momentum has clearly shifted.”
