Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh RDG Controversy: BJP Faces Heat After Walkout from All-Party Meeting
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself in a political bind in Himachal Pradesh after walking out of an all-party meeting convened to discuss the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), recommended by the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finds itself in a political bind in Himachal Pradesh after walking out of an all-party meeting convened to discuss the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), recommended by the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
The walkout has placed the BJP on a sticky wicket, as the party struggles to clearly articulate its position on the RDG issue, which has gained sharp political overtones in the hill state.
BJP’s Dilemma: Centre vs State Sentiment
Senior BJP leaders, including state president Rajeev Bindal and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, attended the meeting but left abruptly after failing to clarify whether the party would support the state government’s demand for continuation of the RDG.
With 28 MLAs in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the BJP’s exit undermined the very purpose of the meeting.
A BJP legislator admitted the party is caught in a “catch-22” situation: supporting the state’s demand could be seen as opposing the BJP-led Central Government, while opposing it may invite accusations of being “anti-Himachal”.
Congress Sharpens Attack
The ruling Congress has seized the opportunity to accuse the Centre of “step-motherly treatment” towards Himachal Pradesh because it is governed by a non-BJP party.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has asserted that the RDG issue concerns every citizen of the state and not just political parties. He has offered to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP leaders to press for continuation of the grant.
The Congress has also flagged the delay in the release of Rs 1,500 crore financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister during his visit to Mandi after the 2025 monsoon disaster.
Financial Strain and Disaster Burden
Himachal Pradesh, which has limited revenue-generation capacity due to geographical constraints, has been heavily impacted by successive monsoon disasters in 2023 and 2025.
The state had submitted a Rs 9,000-crore Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) to the Centre but has so far received a little over Rs 2,000 crore. Large-scale destruction in districts like Mandi, Kullu, Shimla and Chamba has intensified the demand for continued central support.
The BJP’s argument that RDG is being discontinued in 17 states has not resonated strongly with the public, given Himachal’s unique topographical and fiscal challenges.
Budget Session to Rekindle Debate
The issue is expected to dominate the Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly beginning February 16, where the BJP will once again face pressure to clarify its stand.
Political observers say the party’s position on RDG could significantly influence public perception, especially in a state grappling with fiscal stress and post-disaster reconstruction.
Whether the Central Government will reconsider the continuation of the RDG or provide alternative financial assistance remains to be seen, but the stage is set for a heated political showdown in Himachal Pradesh.
