BJP, Centre trying to weaken state financially: Chauhan
The Congress government today accused the BJP and the Central Government of attempting to economically destabilise the state. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, while addressing mediapersons at the Deputy Commissioner’s Auditorium here, alleged, “After all its machinations failed, the BJP is now trying to weaken Himachal Pradesh financially. The Central Government is stalling project approvals and trying to withhold financial assistance.”
The minister said that the state government would resist all conspiracies. “We are ready to give a befitting reply to every challenge. The Congress had won 40 seats in the 2022 Assembly elections and its government continues to function with strength and stability. The government will celebrate its two years in office in Bilaspur on December 11 and over 30,000 people are expected to attend the event,” he added.
Chauhan said that the BJP had allegedly been trying to destabilise the Congress government through the “Operation Lotus”, which failed. He accused the BJP of devising new strategies to weaken the state. He also lambasted the BJP for neglecting horticulturists during its rule and said, “The BJP government had failed to pay Rs 150 crore it owed to farmers but our government has already transferred Rs 90 crore directly into their bank accounts. We have also set minimum support prices for oranges, kinnows and malta.”
Chauhan said, “Everyone knows about former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s personal connections. The previous BJP government was a ‘Saheliyon ki sarkar’ (government of female friends). BJP leaders should clean their own house before pointing a finger at others.”
The minister highlighted the challenges faced by the current government in its first year, including disaster management and political instability. Despite these hurdles, significant achievements, particularly for farmers and horticulturists, were made, he added. About the possibility of the relocation of Nahan Medical College, Chauhan said that discussions were underway with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the final decision would be announced within 20 days.
On the Hattee community issue, the minister accused the BJP of politicising tribal rights. He alleged that the Hattee Committee had become a puppet of the BJP and the Central Government had swiftly passed tribal-related Bills for other states but delayed decisions regarding Himachal Pradesh.
Chauhan alleged that the BJP had deliberately created ambiguity in the Hattee reservation Bill by excluding the Scheduled Castes (SC) from being eligible for the benefits of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. “The state had repeatedly sought clarifications but the Central Government remained silent. The BJP wants to drag the matter to court to leverage it politically in the 2027 Assembly elections,” he added.
