Jairam Thakur Slams CM Sukhu, Defends BJP’s Record on Debt Repayment and Development
Shimla, March 22, 2025: Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur took a strong stance against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s recent statements, accusing him of dishonesty and mismanagement. Speaking to the media after the BJP Legislature Board walked out of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly in protest, Thakur emphasized the achievements of the previous BJP government, specifically in managing state finances and ensuring continuous development despite challenging circumstances.
“CM Sukhu lies all the time,” Thakur stated, criticizing the Chief Minister for shifting blame onto the previous BJP government and the central government. He referred to the tough financial situation the BJP government inherited upon coming to power, including a debt of ₹50,000 crore left by the previous Congress administration. Thakur underscored that despite facing significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the BJP government never allowed development to come to a halt.
He further elaborated on the financial achievements during the BJP’s tenure, saying, “In the five years of our government, we paid ₹38,276 crore as interest and loan repayment. This was in lieu of the loans taken by the Congress government. The loan repayment rate under our government exceeded 95 percent, and in the first two years, we even paid 131.5 percent of the loan owed.” Thakur explained that for every ₹100 the BJP government borrowed, it repaid ₹131, highlighting the government’s strong fiscal management.
Despite the global economic crisis triggered by the pandemic, which affected states across India, Thakur stressed that Himachal Pradesh had managed to uphold development activities. He criticized CM Sukhu for not taking responsibility for his own failures and for attempting to deflect blame. “Instead of blaming the previous government and the central government, the Chief Minister should accept his failures and focus on protecting the state’s interests with full honesty,” he said.
Thakur also expressed frustration over the inconsistent decisions taken by the current government, suggesting that these had tarnished the state’s reputation and caused repeated inconvenience to the public. “Due to the Chief Minister’s erratic decision-making and work style, Himachal Pradesh has faced repeated embarrassments. The people of the state have had to bear the brunt,” he added.
In his remarks, Thakur also raised serious concerns about the treatment of government employees, particularly highlighting the tragic death of the Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. “The harassment of officers is becoming unbearable. The Chief Engineer lost his life due to the pressure, and yet the government continues to protect those responsible,” Thakur said. He pointed out that two recent social media posts made by a senior police officer, highlighting issues within the state’s administration, were indicative of a broader problem of anarchy and mismanagement.
Thakur demanded that the Chief Minister personally intervene in the matter to ensure that no officer or employee in the state faces undue pressure or harassment. “Such conditions have never existed in Himachal Pradesh before, and it is the Chief Minister’s responsibility to step in and address these issues. The safety and well-being of employees should be a priority,” Thakur asserted.
As tensions between the ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP continue to rise, Thakur’s statements reflect the deepening divide in Himachal’s political landscape. With the state set to face critical decisions in the coming months, it remains to be seen how CM Sukhu will respond to the growing discontent from opposition leaders and the public.
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