Munish Sood
MANDI: Relief measures in disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh have become the latest flashpoint between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP, with both parties trading sharp accusations over their respective roles.
On Thursday, BJP state chief spokesperson Rakesh Jambal accused Congress leaders of indulging in what he termed “disaster tourism.”
He alleged that Congress representatives were visiting the state for optics rather than providing meaningful assistance.
“Sometimes they arrive as holiday tourists, sometimes as political tourists during elections, and now they have started coming as disaster tourists,” Jambal remarked.
Jambal cited several examples, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s visits to her Shimla residence, promises such as the ₹1,500 monthly allowance for women made by Delhi-based leaders during campaigning, and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi’s candidature in the state elections to secure a Rajya Sabha seat.
He also pointed to recent press briefings held in the state by Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chhib, questioning the absence of tangible support on the ground.
In contrast, the BJP spokesperson highlighted measures taken by the Centre and BJP workers during the calamity. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a ₹1,500 crore relief package, calling it the largest in the state’s history.
Additionally, BJP-ruled states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Tripura had contributed ₹5 crore each to the Himachal Disaster Relief Fund.
According to Jambal, party workers distributed ration kits, medicines, clothing, sanitary products, utensils, and cash directly in affected areas.
Jamwal also alleged that the Congress government in Himachal had failed to instill confidence among citizens.
He claimed that many donors chose to extend aid directly to victims rather than through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The spokesperson further questioned Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s decision to attend a political rally in Bihar while the state was grappling with disaster.
While Congress leaders have previously accused the Centre of being slow in extending aid, Jambal challenged the party to clarify what special financial assistance it had provided to Himachal when in power.
“The people of Himachal know the difference between rhetoric and action,” he said.
