Exclusive Interview: Congress will return to power in HP, BJP is divided, says Vinay Kumar

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HPCC president Vinay Kumar says Congress unity, welfare policies and development will help retain power in 2027, while claiming the BJP is divided and facing growing internal differences

Shimla, August 26
Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Vinay Kumar has said the Congress is confident of returning to power in the 2027 Assembly elections, arguing that the party is united while the BJP is “split into five groups”. In an Exclusive Interview with The North News Editor-in-Chief Dr Kiran Deep in Shimla, Vinay Kumar defended the Sukhu government’s record, rejected claims of anti-incumbency, and accused the Centre of withholding financial assistance from the state.

Asked about competing claims from both the Congress and BJP that they would form the next government in Himachal Pradesh, Vinay Kumar said recent local body elections reflected the Congress’s organisational strength. He claimed the Congress had emerged stronger in the Panchayati Raj elections and retained greater influence over panchayat committees, nagar panchayats and nagar parishads across the state.
“There is no division in Congress. The government and the organisation are working together under one roof. Unity is our biggest strength,” he said.

“The BJP has five different groups that are fighting each other. People are unhappy with them. In this situation, it will not be possible for the BJP to form the next government in Himachal Pradesh,” he further said. Sharing details, Vinay Kumar said the Congress government’s welfare agenda would be a key factor in the next election. He said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s policies were designed to benefit economically weaker sections and rural communities, adding that the government’s decisions in health and agriculture demonstrated its commitment to public welfare.

Describing major achievements of the Congress government in the state, the HPCC Chief highlighted  investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the introduction of robotic surgery and new medical institutions across Himachal Pradesh.

He also highlighted higher minimum support prices (MSP) for milk and crops such as wheat, maize, turmeric and ginger, saying these measures had directly benefited farmers.

Vinay Kumar criticised the Union government over financial support to Himachal Pradesh following natural disasters. He alleged that the state had not received ₹1,500 crore in flood relief assistance that it had sought from the Centre. “The Centre has stopped grants that rightfully belong to Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

Rejecting the BJP’s claim that the Congress government was facing anti-incumbency after nearly four years in office, Vinay Kumar said the party remained confident across all 68 Assembly constituencies.He even claimed the BJP would struggle to find candidates in several seats.
“We have candidates in all 68 constituencies. I believe the BJP does not even have candidates in 25 to 30 seats.”

Responding to questions about former Congress MLAs and Independent legislators joining the BJP, Vinay Kumar said the Congress was not worried. Instead, he claimed that several BJP leaders were in contact with the Congress and could join the party before the next Assembly elections.He said the Congress was strengthening its organisation at the grassroots level through committees in both rural and urban areas.
“We have formed committees at the microscopic level to reach people and explain the government’s policies,” he added.

On opposition allegations that Himachal Pradesh’s debt has crossed ₹1 lakh crore during the Congress government’s tenure, Vinay Kumar shifted responsibility to the previous BJP government.He argued that the Congress inherited a heavy debt burden and accused the BJP of being responsible for the state’s financial liabilities.”The debt is the legacy of the previous BJP government,” he said.

Watch the complete interview on Facebook and YouTube. Here are the links:

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