Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur intensified the BJP’s campaign for the Mandi Municipal Corporation elections by addressing a series of public meetings across the town and urging people to vote for BJP candidates.
Addressing rallies at Paddal, Nela, Talyahar, Bhagwahan Mohalla and Mangwain, Thakur launched a sharp attack on the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, accusing it of ignoring the development needs of Mandi and misleading people through “false guarantees”.
He said the municipal elections provided an opportunity for people to “take revenge” against the Congress government for allegedly neglecting Mandi after coming to power. According to Thakur, the government had failed to deliver on its promise of “system change” despite being in office for more than three-and-a-half years and had instead slowed down development works in the region.
The BJP leader alleged that the Congress government withdrew Rs 15 crore sanctioned earlier by the previous BJP regime for development works in Mandi and diverted the funds elsewhere. He also accused Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh of taking credit for projects funded by the Centre to influence voters ahead of the elections.
Highlighting civic issues, Thakur claimed that the Municipal Corporation was struggling due to shortage of staff and funds, causing inconvenience to residents even in routine civic works. He maintained that most visible development in Mandi had been possible because of financial assistance from the Central Government and stressed the need for a “double-engine government” for faster growth in Himachal Pradesh.
Calling the Congress government a “one-year guest,” Thakur predicted the BJP’s return to power in the state and demanded a white paper on the utilisation of Central funds by the state government.
He also alleged that the proposed Shivdham project in Mandi had been downsized from its original Rs 250 crore plan and shifted in favour of the Chief Minister’s constituency. Reiterating BJP’s promises, Thakur said the party remained committed to beautification, tourism promotion and improved parking facilities in Mandi.
