Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today alleged that the Congress — driven by fear of defeat — was working to crush Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), the grassroots unit of democracy. He urged the people to oust this “undemocratic, anti-people” party in the ensuing civic body and PRI polls.
During his public outreach and election campaign at Solan today, Thakur launched a scathing attack on the government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He said that the people of the state have become weary of the prevailing chaos and unfulfilled promises.
He asserted that the public is now fully prepared to deliver a resounding democratic response to the ruling party, noting that the BJP has always stood by the people with a steadfast commitment to development, good governance and public welfare.
He recalled that his government had granted Municipal Corporation status to Solan, Mandi and Palampur in response to public demand, driven by the vision that these cities could be revitalised through budgetary allocations received from the Centre.
He, however, alleged that upon assuming power, the Congress government not only stalled the pace of development but also burdened the residents of the newly merged areas with taxes despite the BJP having previously promised a five-year tax exemption.
Thakur asserted that the Congress survives solely by propagating lies and claimed that, having exhausted every possible effort to postpone the elections, the Congress is now in a state of panic driven by the fear of defeat. He even alleged that attempts were made to disregard the orders of the High Court and the observations made by the judiciary.
He expressed deep concern over the plight of Solan city where the Congress-led municipal corporation had failed to even clear accumulated garbage piles. Worsening the state of affairs, the state government withdrew the budget allocated by the former BJP administration, bringing infrastructural development to a standstill.
Taking a jibe at the Chief Minister, Jairam Thakur remarked that wherever CM Sukhu goes to campaign, it invariably benefits the BJP. He asserted that the Congress has actively worked to undermine the Panchayati Raj system and is now attempting to mislead the public with a deceptive manifesto.
He urged the people to elect a BJP-led municipal corporation to ensure continuity of development through effective coordination between the state and central governments.
BJP state co-in-charge Sanjay Tandon, MP Suresh Kashyap, MLA Balbir Verma, general secretary Sanjeev Katwal were among those present on the occasion.
