Munish Sood
MANDI: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday came down heavily on the opposition and civil society narratives dominating national discourse — from the Ladakh hunger strike led by Sonam Wangchuk to the Congress’s “vote chori” (vote theft) campaign.
Thakur made the remarks while speaking to the media after inaugurating the new BJP district office in Mandi, where he underlined the party’s commitment to strengthening its organizational base and connecting more closely with the people.
On the Ladakh issue, Thakur said the Union Government remains fully committed to addressing the region’s concerns. “The government stands committed to the aspirations of the people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards,” he said. He further noted that the demands raised by Wangchuk are already under consideration of a high-powered committee, and therefore should not have been projected as neglected or ignored.
Thakur criticised Wangchuk for persisting with his fast despite appeals from many leaders to end it. He said references to Arab Spring–style protests and Gen Z movements in Nepal during the agitation were provocative and misleading. “Amidst violent developments, he eventually broke his fast and left for his village in an ambulance without making any serious attempt to calm the situation,” Thakur added.
Turning to the opposition’s “vote chori” campaign, Thakur hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his allies for what he called a “deliberate ploy to weaken democratic institutions.” The “vote chor gaddi chhod” slogan has been echoed by sections of Gen Z protestors in Dehradun and Karnataka, further amplifying the campaign.
Thakur dismissed the accusations outright, saying they are politically motivated. “These are baseless allegations meant to mislead the youth and erode trust in democracy,” he said, adding that the BJP has full faith in the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Congress has alleged that widespread deletion and unauthorized addition of names in voter lists amount to electoral fraud, but the ECI has demanded evidence and cautioned parties against spreading unverified claims. The BJP, on its part, has described the “vote chori” narrative as a “joke” and an attempt to shift focus from governance failures within the opposition ranks.
Observers say that while the Ladakh agitation and the vote theft campaign are gaining traction as political flashpoints, the BJP is countering them by projecting itself as a custodian of constitutional safeguards and electoral integrity. Thakur’s remarks in Mandi underline this approach, painting protest narratives as misleading and opposition slogans as political theatre.
Earlier, addressing party workers, Thakur said the BJP offices across the state serve as a vital link between the organization and the people. “This new office will strengthen the party’s activities in the district and act as a center of organizational power,” he remarked. He also informed that construction of a grand permanent office building in Mandi is already underway, but until then, the newly inaugurated facility will serve as the party’s functional base.
Congratulating BJP district president Nihal Chand and other office-bearers, Thakur said the office will not only streamline organizational work but also enhance the party’s outreach among the public. The inauguration began with a traditional havan and puja, performed jointly by Thakur and Siddharthan.
Prominent leaders present on the occasion included BJP state general secretary Payal Vaidya, state spokesperson Ajay Thakur, Mandi parliamentary extension officer Suresh Sharma, district president Nihal Chand Sharma, senior leaders Virender Bhat, Pal Verma, Ranbir, general secretary Manchali Thakur, Karan, media in-charge Rakesh Walia, office secretary Raman, Surender, Pratap, along with several other office-bearers and party workers.
