At anti-BJP protest, Himachal Congress ex-president Rathore targets own govt, leaves top leadership red-faced

MANDI: In a surprising turn of events, senior Congress leader and former Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Kuldeep Rathore publicly criticised his own party’s government during a protest rally held in Shimla on Thursday (April 4, 2025).

The remarks by Kuldeep Rathore from the stage left several senior Congress leaders red-faced and sparked a wave of political debate within the state.

The incident provided an opportunity to the opposition BJP to target the ruling regime, with saffron party leaders reposting clips of Kuldeep Rathore’s statement on their social media handles.

Rathore says Congress govt not supporting loyalists

The protest was organised by the Congress to condemn the controversial remarks made by Union Minister Anurag Thakur against Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

While the rally aimed to show party unity and strength, it was Rathore’s candid speech that stole the limelight.

Addressing a large gathering of party workers and supporters, Rathore said, “It is the party workers who made this government in Himachal. You all know how much they have contributed. Even today, many of them are suffering, facing legal cases and court summons. Only yesterday, I received three such summons related to our own workers.”

Emphasising his loyalty to the Congress, Rathore said, “I am raising this issue because I belong to the party. I am speaking for those workers who are being ignored. Their voices must be heard. The government must not forget those who stood by the party during its most difficult times.”

Protest organised against Anurag’s attack on Kharge

His statement, made in front of several ministers and senior Congress leaders, created an awkward moment on the stage. Concluding his speech, he said, “With this, I end my address. Thank you all for being here.”

The blunt remarks have since become the centre of political discussion, with insiders seeing them as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction within the Congress ranks in Himachal Pradesh.
Political observers believe that such internal criticisms, especially from a leader of Rathore’s stature, could challenge party unity if not addressed promptly.

Meanwhile, the protest witnessed sloganeering against Anurag Thakur, with the Congress leaders terming his remarks as “defamatory and politically motivated”.

The Congress leaders demanded a public apology from Anurag Thakur for his comments targeting the party’s top leadership, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Anurag accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders of encroaching upon Waqf properties.

Munish Sood