BJP Leaders Demand Expulsion of Former MLA Jawahar Thakur After Attack on Jairam, Kangana, and Party
Munish Sood
MANDI: In a fresh political storm in Himachal Pradesh, three BJP mandal presidents from Darang constituency in Mandi district have demanded the expulsion of former MLA Jawahar Thakur over alleged persistent anti-party activities.
The move comes just a day after Jawahar Thakur launched a sharp attack on both the ruling Congress and BJP leadership, accusing them of abandoning flood-ravaged Darang.
On Thursday (September 19, 2025), the former MLA had accused both the government and opposition of deserting Darang during one of the worst monsoon disasters in recent history. He said that while Seraj constituency had borne the brunt of this year’s rains, Darang had suffered devastation “almost at par,” yet had been denied proper relief or even an official assessment.
“This was the century’s longest and most destructive spell of rain. Villages are sinking, key markets like Katola are on the verge of collapse and yet neither the ruling Congress nor the opposition BJP has come to wipe the tears of Darang’s people. This silence is not negligence but betrayal,” Thakur said at a press briefing in Mandi.
He specifically targeted Leader of Opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur for what he called “symbolic ration distribution” and accused Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut of “ignoring” her constituency. “Two days of food cannot replace rehabilitation. What Darang needs is long-term relief and accountability, not photo opportunities,” he said, reminding Jai Ram of his pre-election promise that Darang would be his responsibility.
BJP’s counterattack: ‘Ungrateful and rebellious’
In response, BJP mandal presidents Mehar Chand Bharti (Snor), Raj Thakur (Darang) and Inder Singh Thakur (Padhar) convened a press conference in Bijni on Friday. Flanked by senior district office-bearers, they accused Jawahar Thakur of betraying the very party that gave him political identity.
“Jawahar was brought into the BJP by Jai Ram Thakur in 2007 and was given tickets in both 2007 and 2012, though he lost. In 2017, he finally won against veteran Congress leader Kaul Singh only because of Jai Ram’s popularity and the tireless efforts of party workers. Instead of showing gratitude, he has been plotting against the party ever since he was denied a ticket in 2022,” the leaders charged.
They alleged that Jawahar held meetings with rebels at Pandoh Rest House, supported parallel candidates, skipped party meetings and repeatedly attacked BJP leaders. “For three years, he has acted as a rebel, undermining the party from within. Enough is enough — such a leader should be expelled,” the mandal chiefs said.
Mandal-level action and party discipline
District BJP functionaries, including vice-president Mohan Thakur, general secretary Kapoor Chand, IT convenor Ram Rana and youth leader Himanshu Kapoor, were also present at the briefing. Together, they announced that proceedings would soon begin at the mandal level to recommend Jawahar Thakur’s expulsion.
“Relief and rehabilitation in Darang remain our priority, but using natural disaster for personal vendetta is shameful. A leader who insults Jai Ram Thakur, questions MLA Puran Chand Thakur’s commitment and ignores party discipline cannot remain in the BJP,” they asserted.
The episode has widened the rift within the BJP’s Mandi unit at a time when the party is already battling strong opposition attacks. Observers say Jawahar’s open criticism of Kangana Ranaut’s absence and Jai Ram’s “symbolic relief” puts pressure on BJP leaders to show greater accountability in disaster-hit constituencies. At the same time, the call for his expulsion underlines the party’s effort to enforce discipline ahead of future elections.
