CM Sukhu Chooses Jai Ram Thakur’s Home District Mandi for State Government’s Third Anniversary Celebration

Sukhu Picks Mandi—Jai Ram Thakur’s Stronghold—for State Government’s Third Anniversary Celebration on December 11

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has chosen Mandi district, the home turf of former CM and Opposition Leader Jai Ram Thakur, as the venue for the state-level celebration marking three years of the Congress government on December 11. The decision is widely viewed as a strategic political move aimed at expanding the Congress’s presence in a key BJP stronghold ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Mandi, the second-largest district after Kangra, has 15 Assembly constituencies. In the 2022 state elections, the BJP won nearly all 10 seats in the district, while the Congress managed to secure just one—Dharampur, represented by Chandrashekhar, who benefited from internal BJP divisions.

Chairing a review meeting in Shimla, the Chief Minister assessed preparations for the upcoming anniversary event. A high-level committee comprising Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, and Dharampur MLA Chandrashekhar has been tasked with finalizing the venue.

The Congress government’s first-anniversary event was held in Dharamshala, while the second took place in Bilaspur on December 11 last year. This year’s choice of Mandi carries clear political significance, signaling the government’s intent to engage more directly with voters in central Himachal.

Speaking about the event, Sukhu said the program will highlight the “Vyavastha Parivartan” (systemic change) initiatives undertaken during his tenure, showcasing the government’s achievements in education, healthcare, and rural development. “With consistent growth in revenue generation, Himachal’s economy is showing positive signs of recovery,” he added.

Meanwhile, state BJP president Rajeev Bindal criticized the Congress government’s performance, claiming it has failed to deliver on public welfare. “Even after three years, the Sukhu administration has not launched a single meaningful welfare scheme,” Bindal said. “Health services across the state remain in disarray, causing immense hardship to the people.”