In Dharamshala, Shashi Tharoor says country yearning for change, forecasts clean sweep for Congress in Himachal

Calls Congress MLAs who defected to BJP most untrustworthy

Dharamshala: With voting set to take place in Himachal Pradesh on June 1, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor addressed a press conference in Dharamshala on Wednesday and said that the country was looking for a change this time.

“Voting has already been conducted in two phases in our Kerala, and subsequent campaigning indicates that the people of the country are yearning for change… Everyone collaborates on amendments in Constitution, but beyond 400 seats, there will be no need for consensus. The BJP will be able to make decisions unilaterally,” he noted.

Tharoor said discussing 400 seats for the BJP, however, was like ‘Mungeri Lal ke haseen sapney (day dreaming)’. “The real question is whether the BJP will manage to secure even 200 seats. The public is eager to know when the BJP will start addressing their concerns.”

Emphasising employment and farmers’ issues, Tharoor stated, “We aim to bring justice by eliminating injustice, and the common man is a stakeholder in this country. Our government is ready to do everything necessary.” He asserted that if the INDIA bloc wins, the country will be in good and safe hands.

Addressing the Agniveer scheme, Tharoor expressed pride in the Indian Army but warned that the Agniveer policy could undermine it. He described Congress candidate Anand Sharma as a capable leader and expressed his eagerness to work with him in the Lok Sabha. Predicting the Congress’ victory in all four seats in Himachal, Tharoor criticised the BJP’s “Operation Lotus” as unconstitutional, accusing it of buying MLAs to topple governments.

He sarcastically remarked that the MLAs who defected after winning were “most untrustworthy”.

Asked about the candidate for Prime Minister, Tharoor said that the INDIA bloc would decide on the PM face collectively after their victory. He accused Prime Minister Modi of misusing powers to hinder the country.

Despite betting markets in Delhi, Mumbai and Surat predicting a BJP victory, Tharoor emphasised that it’s the public that will ultimately decide.

Tharoor criticised the BJP on the electoral bond issue and also claimed that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest was unconstitutional. He highlighted the need for changes in UAPA amendments, CAA and a total of 26 issues if the INDIA bloc won and formed the government.

Concluding his remarks, Tharoor said that the Prime Minister would have ample time to meditate after June 4, 2024, as he would then be out of government.