Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur asserted on Tuesday that the people of the state are eagerly awaiting the return of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Thakur made these remarks while addressing a felicitation ceremony for newly elected representatives in Anni, located in the Kullu district.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Thakur expressed a sense of fulfillment in serving the populace and alleviating their hardships, emphasizing his deep understanding of their challenges stemming from his upbringing in the region. He recalled a personal commitment to ease the burdens of the people if given the opportunity, pointing to his previous government’s record-breaking achievements in road construction despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of pensions for the elderly during his tenure.
Thakur launched a sharp critique against the incumbent Congress government, accusing it of shutting down over 1,000 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and offices, and citing the closure of more than six veterinary hospitals in the Anni constituency. He specifically targeted Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, alleging a lack of understanding regarding the needs of livestock owners, particularly in a region like Anni that plays a significant role in animal husbandry and milk production.
Further, the Leader of Opposition took aim at Chief Minister Sukhu regarding the attribution of credit for the recent victories concerning the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) and the Wildflower Hall property. Thakur clarified that the final win concerning BBMB occurred in 2011 under the Prem Kumar Dhumal-led government. He also stated that the verdict for Wildflower Hall came in October 2022, preceding Sukhu’s assumption of the Chief Minister’s office by two months. Thakur also advised Sunder Singh Thakur, a minister, to consider resigning from his post to preserve his self-respect rather than enduring continuous humiliation.
The former Chief Minister alleged that the current administration deliberately avoided holding panchayat elections due to an anticipated poor performance by the ruling party. He highlighted the BJP’s persistent efforts, including legal recourse up to the Supreme Court, to ensure that these elections were conducted. Thakur claimed that the BJP secured victory in 11 out of 12 zila parishads, with the only loss in Chamba occurring by a narrow margin of a single vote. He predicted that the Congress party would face even more significant setbacks in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Thakur also raised questions about the Congress party’s electoral guarantees, asserting that employment opportunities have been curtailed and that women have not received the promised honorarium. He contrasted the Chief Minister’s single visit to Anni during a disaster with his own seven visits to the area during his tenure as Chief Minister.
The Chenab Times News Desk
