Newspaper With Zero Circulation in Himachal Got Ads Worth Crores, Alleges Jairam Thakur

Mandi, April 17: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has launched a sharp attack on the state government, accusing Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of misusing public funds by allocating advertisements worth over ₹2 crore to the National Herald, a Congress-affiliated newspaper, which, according to him, has not sold a single copy in Himachal Pradesh.

Thakur’s statement came in response to CM Sukhu’s recent remarks defending the decision to continue providing government ads to the National Herald. “They say it’s a Congress newspaper and they’ll support it — but the reality is, it’s a mouthpiece of corruption,” said Thakur in a press conference held in Mandi.

“A Paper of Corruption, Not Circulation”

Thakur claimed that the National Herald is under investigation for allegedly being used by the Gandhi family to amass benami properties. “This paper was once completely controlled by the Gandhis, and it played a key role in institutionalizing corruption,” he said. “Despite having no readership or distribution in Himachal, it was granted crores in advertisement revenue.”

He alleged that the Public Relations Department flouted standard rules by not adhering to Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) rates and gave the funds as if it were a donation.

“Public Struggling, Government Spending on Congress Mouthpieces”

Thakur contrasted this spending with the plight of the common people in the state, claiming that patients are pawning their jewelry to afford treatment due to lack of government support. “There’s no money to pay employees or pensioners, but there’s money to fund propaganda,” he said.

“Congress Misleading Public About Central Agencies”

He also slammed the Congress party for staging protests outside ED offices, accusing them of trying to create the impression that central investigating agencies are acting under government pressure. “The CM, Deputy CM, and ministers are holding dharnas — it’s laughable. The investigation into National Herald actually began under the Congress regime,” Thakur said.

He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that unlike in the Congress era, central agencies are now working independently and without political interference.

“This is not just about advertisements. It’s about misusing public funds, undermining institutions, and shielding corruption. The BJP will expose this truth to every citizen of Himachal Pradesh,” Thakur concluded.

Key Points:

• National Herald received over ₹2 crore in state ads despite no circulation in Himachal

• PR Department allegedly bypassed DAVP norms

• State struggling financially, but funds spent on political newspapers

• BJP to take issue to the public, says Thakur

A fresh political flashpoint emerges in Himachal as the BJP questions transparency and priorities of the Sukhu-led Congress government.