Munish Sood
Mandi
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday began its two-day state-level meetings in Mandi, combining organizational planning with an aggressive political push against the ruling Congress government. The first day’s deliberations focused on strengthening the party at the grassroots level while outlining a broader strategy for upcoming elections and a statewide agitation.
Held at the Atal Auditorium, the meetings are being attended by senior leaders including National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, National Vice President Saudan Singh, State In-charge Shrikant Sharma, Co-Incharge Sanjay Tandon, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, along with MPs, MLAs and state executive members. The office bearers’ meeting is being held on April 6, followed by the state executive meeting on April 7, where key resolutions and an action roadmap are expected to be finalised.
The core agenda includes strengthening the organization down to the booth level, accelerating the training campaign, advancing the SIR drive at the assembly segment level, and preparing for Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. Expansion of party cells at the mandal level and mobilisation strategies are also under discussion.
Coinciding with the meetings, the BJP marked its Foundation Day across the state with booth-level programmes. Participating in one such event in Mandi, National Vice President Saudan Singh described the BJP as not just a political party but an ideological movement committed to nation-building. He said that since its inception in 1980, the party has grown into the world’s largest political organization through the dedication of its workers.
Highlighting the principle of Antyodaya, he said the party remains committed to delivering development to the last person. Referring to initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he cited programmes such as Digital India, Ujjwala Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Jal Jeevan Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana as transformative interventions that have improved the lives of millions. He urged party workers to take the party’s message to every village and booth.
Meanwhile, State BJP President Dr. Rajeev Bindal launched a sharp attack on the Congress government, alleging that under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed “distress, disorder and misgovernance” over the past three years. He said the office bearers’ meeting unanimously concluded that the government has failed on all fronts, leaving every section of society disillusioned.
Bindal claimed that unemployed youth are struggling for jobs, government recruitment has stalled, and employees and pensioners are facing delays in payments. He also targeted the Congress over its promise of ₹1,500 per month to women, calling it a “betrayal” that has led to widespread anger.
He further alleged that the government has burdened the public with increased taxation, including a proposed cess on diesel, higher registration fees, increased HRTC fares, and rising prices at ration depots. “This government believes in imposing tax after tax rather than providing relief,” he said.
Accusing the government of promoting “mafia raj,” Bindal said mining, forest and land mafias are operating freely under political protection. “This has become a government of mafias, not of the people,” he remarked.
The BJP, he said, has resolved to launch a statewide agitation against what it termed a “corrupt and anti-people” government. Party workers will take to the streets from booth to state level to expose government policies and mobilize public support.
The first day of deliberations clearly indicate that the BJP is simultaneously working to consolidate its grassroots structure while preparing for an intensified political confrontation with the Congress in the run-up to upcoming elections.
