Mandi (Munish Sood)
The political rivalry between BJP and Congress in Himachal Pradesh has intensified as Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur accused the Sukhu-led government of unfairly targeting Sardar Patel University in Mandi district.
Thakur, also the former Chief Minister, lambasted the Congress government for its decision to transfer the university building in Sundernagar to MLSM College, a private institution. Terming the move “illegal,” Thakur stated that this infrastructure was funded by the Central Government during his tenure to establish a cluster university in Mandi.
According to Thakur, the BJP government had ensured these buildings served as critical assets for Sardar Patel University’s effective functioning. He alleged that the current government is intentionally undermining the institution’s objectives, citing this as part of a larger strategy to discriminate against Mandi district.
Thakur revealed that various student bodies and public representatives have expressed outrage over this decision. He warned the Sukhu government against ignoring public sentiment, urging it to reverse the decision and act in the academic community’s best interest.
“This is not just an attack on the university but an insult to the aspirations of Mandi’s people,” Thakur asserted, emphasizing that Mandi’s voters will hold Congress accountable for this perceived injustice.
The controversy has escalated political tensions in the state, with BJP accusing Congress of prioritizing private interests over public welfare, further deepening the rift between the two parties.
