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Not a celebration but rally on reforms: CM Sukhu in Himachal Assembly amid Opp attack
Jan-Sankalp Rally to be held in Mandi on Dec 11
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu addresses the House during Winter Session of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan near Dharamshala, in Kangra on Tuesday. (CMO HP/ANI Photo)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Tuesday told the Assembly that the proposed programme in Mandi on December 11 — to mark three years of the Congress — is not a celebration but a Jan-Sankalp Rally on Vyavastha Parivartan. The CM’s statement comes amid the Opposition’s sharp criticism regarding the programme.
Sukhu was responding to the allegations levelled by former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur during a discussion on the natural disaster under Rule 130.
During the discussion, Thakur accused the state of planning a lavish celebration in Mandi — the district worst affected by the 2025 natural disaster. He also alleged that the Revenue Department was preparing to bear the event’s expenditure under the ‘Natural Disaster’ budget.
Thakur said that holding such a function in a severely hit district was inappropriate and claimed that using disaster-relief funds for political events would be unacceptable.
Countering the allegations, CM Sukhu clarified that all expenditure for the rally would be borne by the state government and no funds meant for disaster relief would be diverted for the event. He also said that Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi would respond to all queries.
He also said that the planned event at Paddal Ground in Mandi would be aimed at highlighting governance reforms. Sukhu said he had also urged the LoP to visit his constituency promptly during the disaster.
The CM alleged that the BJP leaders and workers distributed relief materials among party workers instead of affected people and had “defamed the Tricolour by throwing shoes”.
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On the other hand, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would provide assistance, Thakur said the state cannot continue to blame the Centre for delays in disaster funds. He also said he had walked through the affected areas for 22 consecutive days during the disaster. He also questioned the decision to defer Gram Panchayat elections under the Natural Disaster Act, 2025, and criticised the withdrawal of development funds.
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