3 min readShimlaDec 11, 2025 11:31 AM IST
First published on: Dec 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM IST
Former Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh said that she would not attend the upcoming “Jan Sankalp Sammelan” at Paddal ground in Mandi on Thursday to mark the completion of three years of the Congress-led state government in office, giving the Opposition BJP ammunition to fire fresh salvos at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over the “misuse of government money”.
“I am in Delhi. I will not attend the programme in Mandi on Thursday. I have to meet certain senior party leaders in Delhi. Also, there is a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Delhi in the coming days,” Pratibha said when contacted.
A senior Congress leader said, “Pratibha Singh had informed state party leadership about her scheduled visit to Delhi, which was fixed in advance.”
A large number of Congress workers from across the state are expected to attend the event.
On November 22, the party appointed Vinay Kumar, a three-time MLA from the Shri Renuka Ji Assembly constituency, as the new president of the Himachal Congress, replacing Pratibha Singh, who had been at the helm since April 26, 2022, and putting an end to prevailing uncertainty since the dissolution of the previous Pradesh Congress Committee on November 6, 2024.
.Leader of the Opposition in Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur said senior Congress leaders are maintaining distance from the event, and government money is being misused on the programme.
The PCC chief, however, criticised the BJP, saying: “The Opposition views every issue through a political lens. They have been unsuccessfully trying to destabilise the Congress government since the people of Himachal rejected them in both the Assembly as well as by-elections.”
Accusing the Opposition of even “politicising the disaster situation,” Vinay Kumar said, “The BJP has no moral right to question government events. The Centre is not releasing any assistance for the rehabilitation of disaster-affected families, but BJP MPs from Himachal failed to raise the issue.”
Kumar said the Jan Sankalp Sammelan in Mandi would outline the government’s vision for the remaining two years of its tenure.
Special traffic plan for Mandi today
In view of the Jan Sankalp Sammelan at Paddal Ground, Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apurav Devgan has issued a temporary traffic regulation order under Section 117 of the Motor Vehicles Act, prohibiting entry of heavy vehicles to Mandi city from Khaliyar, Bindravani, Chakker and Talyahad from 7 am to 6 pm on December 11.
Taxi and auto parkings outside the Mandi bus stand will also remain temporarily closed.
Buses coming from Talyahad will be routed through Sanyardee Bypass, Kehnwal Chowk and Pulgharat.
Outbound buses towards Talyahad will move via Skodi Bridge and Jail Road.
Gandhi Chowk to Victoria Bridge will be one-way for light motor vehicles; two- and three-wheelers have been exempted.
Traffic from Victoria Bridge entering the city will be diverted via Old Mandi Road. Traffic between ITI Chowk, Mahamrityunjay Chowk and Mandi Bazaar will operate on one-way routes via Old Suketi and New Suketi bridges.
Heavy vehicles from Pulgharat and Sabzi Mandi towards Malori Road will also move one-way.
The DC urged citizens and motorists to follow the special arrangements to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement during the event.
Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh. (Photo: PTI) 
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