"Two years have been period of destruction and corruption": LoP Jairam Thakur slams Himachal govt

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], December 11 (ANI): A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation, led by senior leaders, met Himachal Pradesh Governor Pratap Shukla recently to submit a comprehensive 106-page memorandum titled "Kachcha Chittha".
The document, which alleges rampant corruption and administrative failures in the two years of Congress rule under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, aims to hold the state government accountable for what the BJP describes as a period of "unprecedented mismanagement and destruction."
Speaking to the media after meeting the Governor, Himachal Pradesh BJP President Rajeev Bindal criticized the state government's celebratory event marking two years in office. "There is nothing to celebrate in the Congress government's tenure. In two years, they have not delivered anything significant to the people of Himachal Pradesh. This celebration is a waste of public time and money," he said.
Adding allegations, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur launched a scathing attack on the Congress government. "These two years have been a period of destruction and corruption in every sector. Even Congress's central leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, refused to attend the so-called celebrations. This is proof enough that even their leadership recognizes there is nothing worth celebrating in Himachal Pradesh today," Thakur added.
The memorandum handed over to the Governor outlines detailed allegations of corruption and policy mismanagement. The BJP pointed to a hydroelectric project scandal where the cost was inflated from Rs 150 crore to Rs 280 crore to allegedly benefit private companies. The party accused the Congress government of shielding illegal mining operations and providing undue favours to contractors. Jairam Thakur further alleged that revenue generation policies had been manipulated to benefit liquor and land mafias.
"Tourism properties that are the pride of Himachal Pradesh have been put on sale. Eighteen tourism units, including iconic hotels in Chail, Manali, and Dalhousie, are being labelled as loss-making to justify selling them to private players. The Congress government is treating Himachal Pradesh as if it were on sale," said Thakur
The BJP memorandum also focused on unfulfilled electoral promises made by the Congress. Among them were commitments to provide Rs 1,500 per month to women, 300 units of free electricity, jobs for 5 lakh youth, and an increase in dairy farmers' income through enhanced procurement rates. "Not only have these promises been broken, but the government has also worsened the situation by closing down over 1,500 institutions, including schools and healthcare facilities," said Thakur.
The BJP further criticized the government's failure to deliver salaries to employees, resolve GPS pension scheme disputes, and address inflation. "Despite financial constraints, the Congress government has wasted crores on celebrations while pensions remain unpaid and essential services are neglected. The public is being taxed heavily for basic needs, making life more difficult for the people of Himachal Pradesh," he added.
Jairam Thakur emphasized that the BJP would demand a thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption. "If no action is taken, the BJP will ensure that when we return to power, every case of corruption and misgovernance will be thoroughly probed, and those responsible will be held accountable," he declared.
Thakur said, "This is not just about corruption; it's about the betrayal of the people of Himachal Pradesh. The Congress government has turned this state into a playground for mafias and private profiteers. The people deserve better, and the BJP will fight to restore the dignity and progress of our state."
The memorandum has added to the growing tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP, setting the stage for an intensified political battle in the months to come. (ANI)