Due to the ongoing political dispute in Himachal Pradesh over the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), BJP state president Rajiv Bindal sharply criticised the Sukhu-led Congress government. He accused it of mismanaging the state’s affairs and blaming the BJP for its own failures. Bindal was addressing the media in Shimla on Saturday.
With the RDG withdrawal, political tensions have risen in the state. Speaking at a press conference, Bindal said the Congress government, which has been in power for 40 months, has tried every six months to shift the blame onto the BJP. He said the pressure of fulfilling its election guarantees is clearly visible in its decisions. However, he asserted that the BJP will not arrange funds to fulfil Congress’ guarantees.
Bindal said that at the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state Congress president was absent. Former Congress president Kuldeep Rathore represented the party instead. He claimed the meeting appeared to have been politically pre-planned.
He also questioned why Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh were not invited to the meeting. Taking a dig at the Chief Minister, Bindal said that instead of advising the BJP, Sukhu should reflect on his own decisions and give up his “attachment to the chair.”
Bindal also said that Himachal Pradesh would receive ₹2,500 crore more in tax devolution compared to earlier allocations. He claimed that during the ten years of the Narendra Modi government, the state received ₹88,600 crore, while it received only ₹18,000 crore during the Congress tenure.
He stated that even when Congress was in power at the Centre, there was no discrimination in financial assistance to the state. Despite this, he alleged, a narrative was created suggesting that Himachal’s economy was in crisis.
Bindal accused the Sukhu government of shutting down several welfare schemes and engaging in “daily political drama.” He alleged that the government even staged protests over MGNREGA. Referring to the latest Union Budget, he said ₹12 lakh crore has been allocated for infrastructure and urged the Chief Minister to seek funds from the Centre for tourism projects instead of wasting public money.
Referring to the Panchayat polls, Bindal alleged that the state government tried to delay the elections. However, he said the elections were eventually held, calling it “a victory of the people.”
Concluding his comments, Bindal said that instead of blaming the BJP, the Sukhu government should present its report card and focus on the development of state.
Also Read: BJP leaders fail to clarify stand on RDG: Sukhu
Follow us
