The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a significant protest march in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday, under the banner ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’. The demonstration saw a considerable turnout of party workers and local residents, who marched to express their concerns over alleged misinformation and attempts to destabilise democratic institutions by the ruling Congress party.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the march commenced from Paddal Ground and concluded at Seri Manch, where a public meeting was addressed by senior party leaders. Leading the charge was Jai Ram Thakur, former Chief Minister and current Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Thakur lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that India was making substantial progress in development, good governance, transparency, and democratic accountability under his tenure. He contrasted this with the actions of opposition parties.
Thakur specifically targeted the Congress party regarding its allegations of ‘vote theft’. He stated that opposition parties tend to question the integrity of electoral processes whenever election results do not favour them. The former Chief Minister accused the Congress of attempting to mislead the public with unsubstantiated claims, emphasizing that democratic institutions should not be undermined for partisan political objectives. This sentiment was echoed by leaders during the rally.
Referring to criticisms from Rahul Gandhi concerning the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Thakur explained that the exercise is a routine procedure designed to ensure that all eligible voters are included and that no ineligible names remain on the voter list. He alleged that the Congress party was opposing this process because it would identify and consequently lead to the removal of names of individuals deemed illegal infiltrators, a claim made by the BJP.
In his address, Thakur drew a distinction between India and countries like Bangladesh, rejecting any attempts to instigate political change through unrest or disorder. He maintained that the formation of governments should strictly adhere to constitutional and democratic procedures, underscoring the importance of maintaining established political pathways. The protest aimed to convey this message strongly.
Thakur also questioned the proposed participation of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in a protest against the Election Commission. He pointed out that the Chief Minister himself had been elected through the very electoral system he now seemed to be questioning. Thakur challenged the Chief Minister to resign if he harboured genuine doubts about the credibility of the electoral process, implying a lack of faith in the system that brought him to power.
Furthermore, the BJP leader criticised the current Congress government in Himachal Pradesh concerning the state’s financial health. He raised concerns about unfulfilled election promises and alleged a lack of progress in development initiatives, juxtaposed with a noticeable increase in state borrowings. Thakur conveyed his confidence that the BJP would secure victory in all ten Assembly seats within Mandi district and ultimately return to power in Himachal Pradesh with a substantial majority in the upcoming elections.
Several prominent BJP figures were present at the gathering, including former ministers Suresh Bhardwaj and Govind Singh Thakur. Rakesh Jamwal, a BJP MLA and the convenor of the rally, also addressed the attendees. Notably, Mandi Sadar MLA Anil Sharma was absent from the event, a fact that was observed by many present.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
