Discrimination Against Opposition Constituencies; CM Making Announcements Over Video Calls for Favourites: Jai Ram

Mandi, August 19 — Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of discriminating against constituencies represented by opposition leaders. He alleged that despite the devastation caused by recent disasters, the Chief Minister has not released funds for these areas, while extending favors to his own party loyalists by making special announcements over video calls.

Speaking to the media in Mandi, Jai Ram Thakur said the Chief Minister must understand that he represents the entire state and should treat every region equally. He pointed out that Seraj has suffered the worst impact of the disaster, yet no relief funds have been released there simply because it is an opposition constituency. “This reflects the Chief Minister’s insensitivity, which is unacceptable in any sense,” Thakur remarked.

He added that more than one and a half months have passed since the disaster struck Seraj, yet even basic rural roads remain unrestored. Farmers are suffering as their apple crop is rotting, and they are forced to carry produce on their backs. The Public Works Department has incurred losses of over ₹500 crore, but the government has allocated only ₹2 crore. Similarly, the Jal Shakti Department has suffered losses worth ₹300 crore, yet it too received only ₹2 crore. The Electricity Department faced damages of ₹50 crore, but not even ₹1 crore has been sanctioned.

“This clearly shows how the government is discriminating when it comes to disaster relief in Seraj,” Thakur said.