Shimla, May 21
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of failing to support the state during natural disasters and key financial matters, while claiming that recent municipal election results reflected growing public support for the Congress party.
Speaking after returning from a visit to Kerala, Sukhu described the BJP as a “party built on false promises” and said voters had rejected it in the recent urban local body elections.
The chief minister claimed that the Congress had secured victories in more than 25 municipal councils and municipal committees across the state. He argued that the election outcome showed public dissatisfaction with the BJP’s approach towards Himachal Pradesh.
Sukhu accused the BJP-led central government of failing to provide adequate assistance during disaster situations and alleged that it did not cooperate on the restoration of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). He also claimed that funds announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not been fully delivered to the state.
“The people are asking why they should vote for the BJP,” he said, adding that the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh had implemented welfare measures including the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), increased support prices for wheat, barley and milk, and expanded healthcare and education services.
The chief minister also criticised rising inflation, alleging that higher fuel and commercial gas prices had increased financial pressure on ordinary citizens.
Commenting on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Sukhu said the opposition leader was “raising the voice of the country” and speaking openly on national issues. He claimed that the BJP was uncomfortable with criticism and accused it of relying on “slogans and political rhetoric”.
During the event, the chief minister also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. Sukhu said Rajiv Gandhi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had sacrificed their lives for the country while confronting terrorism.
He credited Rajiv Gandhi with helping introduce the information technology era in India and strengthening local governance through greater representation of women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies.
