Loans for development vs Sukhu borrowing to ‘pay advisers’: Himachal ex-CM Jai Ram attacks Cong govt at ‘Jan Aakrosh Rally’
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Says Priyanka preferred staying in Shimla than attending one-year event as she knew there was nothing to showcase
The Newz Radar
DHARAMSHALA: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the leader of the opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, has criticised the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government, for accumulating an additional loan of Rs 14,000 crore in its first year of rule.
Jai Ram alleged that the loans were primarily utilised to cover the salaries of numerous advisers and Officers on Special Duty (OSDs) appointed by Chief Minister Sukhu. The comments were made during the “Jan Akrosh Rally” held on Monday in Dharamshala.
Addressing a gathering of BJP workers at Kachehri main square in Dharamshala, Jai Ram questioned the transparency of the Congress government’s administrative appointments, asserting that even within the party, there was uncertainty about the exact number of advisers appointed by Chief Minister Sukhu.
The opposition leader countered allegations against himself, stating, “They (Congress) spent a whole year blaming me for taking loans, but if I had made a mistake, why are they repeating it?” He emphasised that the loans he secured during his tenure were invested in infrastructure development, particularly in constructing an impressive network of roads.
Contradicting Congress’ claims that the state’s fiscal burden was a legacy of the previous BJP government, Jai Ram pointed out that during Virbhadra Singh’s regime, a substantial loan was left unresolved, and that his government successfully managed to pay off Rs 36,000 crores during their term.
Addressing the one-year celebration of the Congress government in Himachal, Jai Ram remarked that the party was not anticipating completing a year in power. He suggested that the Congress had no substantial achievements to showcase.
During the one-year programme organised by the Congress government, notable leaders from the party’s high command were absent. Despite Priyanka Gandhi being in Shimla, her absence at the celebration event was highlighted by the BJP during the “Aakrosh Rally”. BJP leaders suggested that Priyanka Gandhi’s decision to stay back in Shimla indicated her discontent with the Congress’s performance in Himachal Pradesh, choosing to enjoy the sunlight instead.
