BJP state president Rajeev Bindal has strongly criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, accusing his administration of misleading the public, especially unemployed youth.
Speaking at a press conference in Shimla on Friday, Bindal said the Cabinet’s move to restart the state-run lottery system is unfair to job seekers. He called it a “mockery of the unemployed,” and claimed that instead of creating real job opportunities, the government is pushing young people toward “gambling and false hopes”.
"The Sukhu government promised one lakh government jobs in its very first Cabinet meeting. Now, three years later, they have launched a lottery system and are asking the youth to buy tickets to change their fate. This is not governance, it's exploitation,” said Bindal. He said starting a lottery system is against the people of the state.
Bindal questioned why the government has decided to bring back the lottery system. He pointed out that it was first banned in 2000 by the BJP government led by Prem Kumar Dhumal. Congress restarted it in 2004, but it was banned again in 2007. Now, in 2025, the Congress has decided to reintroduce it once more.
"While the world is moving forward, the Himachal government is pushing its youth backwards toward lottery counters. This policy is nothing but a money-making racket under the garb of state-run gambling," he said.
Bindal said the state government is shutting schools and institutions down instead of focusing on development. He criticised the Congress for closing nearly 2,000 institutions, including schools, health centres, patwar circles, sub-tehsils, and BDO offices.
"In Sirmaur district, a school was shut down where students now have to cross three streams and walk 5 km to the nearest school. This is the reality behind the Congress's claim of 100% school enrolment," he added.
The BJP leader said that over 1.5 lakh approved posts in government departments were removed and no new recruitments were made in the last three years, even though thousands of employees had retired.
He also criticised the government’s response to the recent natural disaster in Mandi district, accusing it of acting with political bias against locals who were protesting for proper relief.
"Instead of providing aid, this government has registered false FIRs against 72 disaster-hit individuals. Some are in jail while others are forced to report to police stations despite losing their homes," Bindal said.
"Even in areas where bodies are still buried under debris, the government is busy shifting colleges rather than offering help," he added.
Bindal also expressed concern over the growing number of liquor shops being opened on PWD and National Highway land, calling it a clear violation of rules. He accused the government of encouraging alcohol and drug use instead of taking steps to control it.
"You will see flashy liquor outlets everywhere. But if a poor vendor tries to sell fried snacks, he is fined and chased away. This is hypocrisy and selective enforcement," he said.
Bindal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, JP Nadda, and other Union ministers for their constant support to Himachal Pradesh during disasters. He mentioned the recent Disaster Recovery and Resilience Project, backed by the World Bank, which has approved ₹2,388 crore, with ₹2,150 crore coming under Central guarantee.
He added that over the past few years, the Centre has sanctioned a total of ₹7,513 crore for Himachal, which includes disaster relief, housing support through MGNREGA, and help for rebuilding infrastructure.
"The Centre has stood by the people of Himachal. But the state government, despite its big announcements, has only spent about ₹150 crore in three years from its own budget. Where has the rest of the promised aid gone?" asked Bindal.
The BJP chief announced that the party will hold a major protest in Mandi on August 6. They will demand the immediate withdrawal of the lottery system, reopening of all closed schools and institutions, cancellation of FIRs filed against disaster victims and protestors, and complete transparency in how disaster relief is being distributed.
"The public is seething with anger. The government's suppression and vindictive actions will not go unnoticed. The Congress has ignited a fire it cannot extinguish," he warned.
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