Vishal Rana, Hamirpur

In an unusual move, prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister in his home district, Hamirpur. Aggresive Press conferences like these are typically held at the end of a government’s term or during the imposition of the model code of conduct. However, the BJP leaders chose to voice their concerns early, making several personal allegations against the Chief Minister.

The leaders claimed that the defeat of the Congress party in Haryana’s recent elections was largely due to the flawed policies and anti-people decisions made by the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister. They alleged that the BJP had highlighted these issues during the Haryana polls. On Wednesday, former MLA Rajendra Rana, MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, and Ashish Sharma, all from the Chief Minister’s home district, addressed the press, blaming the Chief Minister’s false promises for the party’s loss in Haryana.

Rajendra Rana, former MLA of Sujanpur, stated that the state government is on the verge of collapse under its own weight, as the public has shown through the Haryana election results that they no longer trust the Congress’s promises but rather believe in the guarantees given by the Prime Minister. He added that the entire nation is now discussing how the people of Himachal, including women, the unemployed, and farmers, have been deceived by false guarantees. Rana also claimed that even the Congress high command now understands the deteriorating situation in Himachal caused by the Chief Minister. He accused Chief Minister of only benefiting his close associates during his tenure.

Ashish Sharma, the MLA from Hamirpur Sadar, accused the government of acting out of revenge. He alleged that the Chief Minister has been targeting him and his family. Sharma lamented that Himachal, once known for its integrity and warmth, is now a subject of national concern. He claimed that the government is manipulating conditions for public jobs to favor their chosen individuals and revealed that he is gathering information under the Right to Information Act to present the facts in the assembly. He also hinted at a close associate of the Chief Minister in his statements.

Meanwhile, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, MLA of Badsar, highlighted the state’s deteriorating condition, citing the Public Works Department’s approval of projects without a budget, the shortage of pipes in the IPH Department, and the lack of poles in the Electricity Board. He mentioned that water bills are rising, cement prices are soaring, and the cost of ration from government depots has increased from ₹500 to ₹700. Lakhanpal accused the government of burdening the people of the state. When asked about some BJP workers working against the party in the by-elections, he suggested moving on and forgetting past grievances.

BJP leaders’ strong criticism of the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister highlights growing dissatisfaction within the state. Their accusations point to a deepening crisis, with claims that the Chief Minister’s decisions not only hurt Himachal but also contributed to the Congress’s defeat in Haryana. The leaders stressed that false promises and poor governance have led to widespread disillusionment among the people, while also suggesting that the Chief Minister’s favoritism and personal vendettas are causing further turmoil. The ongoing political conflict suggests that the state government may face increasing pressure and scrutiny in the days to come.