BJP Will Not Support Congress on Revenue Deficit Grant Issue: Jai Ram Thakur

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday said the BJP would not extend support to the ruling Congress government on the issue of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), alleging that Himachal Pradesh was heading towards a financial emergency under the present dispensation.

Addressing a press conference, the former Chief Minister accused the Congress government of using the RDG issue as a political tool to target the Centre rather than taking concrete steps to stabilise the state’s finances.

“The BJP has always stood for the rights of the state and will raise the RDG issue independently wherever required,” Thakur said, adding that the ruling party was focused on political survival instead of safeguarding Himachal’s interests.

Centre Not Discriminating: BJP

Rejecting allegations of discrimination by the Centre, Thakur stated that Himachal had received only ₹18,000 crore as RDG during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). In contrast, he claimed that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state secured ₹89,254 crore through successive Finance Commissions.

He dismissed claims that the BJP was eager to return to power, asserting that public dissatisfaction with the Congress government’s performance was evident.

Dispute Over Debt Figures

Thakur also contested the debt figures presented by the current government. He said that when the BJP demitted office in 2022, the state’s debt stood at ₹69,600 crore — not ₹76,000 crore as being projected.

He alleged that the remaining ₹6,500 crore loan limit, which was not utilised during the BJP’s tenure, was being unfairly added to its record. By contrast, he claimed that the Congress government had raised loans worth ₹40,000 crore within three years — the highest borrowing recorded by any regime in the state.

Assembly Protest and RDG Row

Thakur said BJP legislators were compelled to enter the well of the House during Assembly proceedings after being denied the opportunity to counter what he termed “incorrect financial figures” presented by the Chief Minister.

While maintaining that the state government should pursue the RDG matter strongly with the Centre, he said it could not expect unconditional support while engaging in what he described as confrontational politics.

He also questioned the Chief Minister’s recent meeting with former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, alleging it was aimed at seeking legal advice for a possible move to the Supreme Court over the RDG dispute.

The RDG controversy has intensified political tensions in Himachal Pradesh, with both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP trading allegations over financial management and Centre-state relations.

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