December winter session will be Congress government’s last: Jairam Thakur

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said the winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, scheduled to be held in Dharamshala from December 16 to 21, would be the Congress government’s last winter session. He said BJP legislators had prepared notices and questions on several issues to hold the government accountable during the session.

Thakur alleged that Himachal Pradesh was facing an economic and administrative crisis, while the law and order situation had also deteriorated. He said people were disappointed with the government’s performance over the past four years.

On the drug menace, Thakur alleged that drug trafficking and consumption were increasing in the state. He criticized Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for holding political walkathons, saying the problem required concrete action and collective efforts. Responding to a question about Congress leader Anil Sharma welcoming the Chief Minister during the Mandi walkathon, he reiterated the need for coordinated action against drugs.

Thakur also demanded transparency over government properties proposed to be handed over under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. He asked the government to disclose the proposed model, terms and conditions, process and formalities involved. He said the BJP would seek answers on the issue during the Assembly session.

Raising the issue of rising costs, Thakur criticized the increase in stamp paper prices from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000. He alleged that the government had imposed several taxes and cesses, adding to the financial burden on poor and middle-class families. He also cited higher water and electricity charges, saying these decisions further burdened households.

Thakur questioned the government’s handling of the state’s finances and urged it to avoid decisions that directly affect economically weaker sections.

Taking a dig at the Congress government’s preparations to celebrate four years in office, Thakur said the next Assembly elections were approaching, and the government should refrain from holding celebrations.

On the political situation in Mandi, Thakur claimed that the BJP would win all 10 Assembly seats in the district in the next elections. Referring to the panchayat election results, he expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects and said the Congress government was nearing its end.

Asked about Kullu Congress MLA Sundar Thakur not being inducted into the Cabinet, the former Chief Minister said the legislator should be “extremely upset”. He alleged that Sundar Thakur had been neglected for the past one-and-a-half years and described it as an insult to Kullu residents’ sentiments and self-respect.

When asked whether some leaders were in touch with him, Jai Ram Thakur smiled and said many people were in contact.

On the proposed by-election to the Rampur Assembly seat, which fell vacant following the death of Nand Lal, Thakur said the family was still mourning, and it was not appropriate to make political comments at this stage. He said the Election Commission would decide the election schedule and the party president would announce the BJP’s future plans.