TNR News Network
Shimla: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has come down heavily on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for leaving the state during a time of widespread devastation caused by heavy rains.
Jai Ram Thakur accused Sukhu of prioritising politics over people’s suffering, as the CM has travelled to Bihar to join Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’.
Ex-CM says ‘people stranded, CM missing’
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Jai Ram Thakur said thousands of pilgrims and tourists remain stranded in Chamba’s Manimahesh, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Manali due to landslides and blocked roads. Relief and rehabilitation work, he stressed, needed urgent acceleration.
“Instead of leading rescue operations from the front, the Chief Minister has chosen to attend a political programme outside the state, leaving citizens to struggle on their own,” Jai Ram Thakur remarked.
Asks him to cancel trip, seek Centre’s help
The Opposition leader urged Sukhu to immediately return to Himachal, cancel his Bihar engagements and seek the Centre’s support for deploying Army units and helicopters to intensify rescue missions. Calling Sukhu’s absence “irresponsible”, Jai Ram Thakur said the CM must shoulder responsibility when the state is in crisis.
Sukhu in Bihar for Rahul’s campaign
According to Congress insiders, Sukhu reached Darbhanga from Delhi in the morning and later flew to Motihari by helicopter to attend Rahul Gandhi’s rally. He is expected to stay overnight in Patna and may remain in Bihar for a couple of days. Sources said Sukhu could also hold discussions with Rahul Gandhi about the ongoing tussle over the Himachal Congress leadership and the pending decision on replacing the Himachal Pradesh party president and restructuring the state unit.
