Congress leaders absence from Bilaspur rally proof of regime's lacklustre performance: Jai Ram Thakur 

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today said the fact that all senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul, and Priyanka Gandhi, chose to skip the two-year celebrations of the state government was proof of the government's lacklustre performance.

Addressing a press conference here today, Thakur said it was for the first time in the history of Himachal that there was nothing in the name of achievements after a two-year rule. “The central Congress leadership declining to come for the function at Bilaspur is a confirmation that there was no reason for celebration,” he said.

He said while the state is facing a severe financial crunch, the government spent Rs 25 crore on the celebrations. He claimed that till now Rs 10 crore had been spent on engaging lawyers to save the Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) while no efforts were made to save Himachal Bhawan from being attached.

“An attempt is being made to hand over the prestigious HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) hotels, even the profit-making ones, to private players,” he alleged. Thakur asked the government to reply as to why SP Baddi-Barotiwala, who had launched a crackdown on illegal mining, had abruptly proceeded on a long leave.

“Senior Congress leaders are involved in illegal liquor, mining, land, and other activities. Also, 112 hectares of land of the HP Agriculture University was being given for a tourism village, but due to court orders, the matter has been put on hold,” he said. He said the state government cannot crush the voice of the opposition or the media as all development works have come to a standstill.

He said outsourced employees have not received salaries for six months, and the government is spending crores on celebrations. “The Congress regime has crossed all limits of lying and making false claims. Himachal has been pushed to the verge of bankruptcy and has become a laughingstock all over the country,” he added.

He also took a dig at Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri for his outburst against the opposition and the bureaucracy. “The remarks by the deputy CM are a clear indication of his frustration at being sidelined,” he said.