Shimla, April 26
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said that according to reports in newspapers, the Congress has decided to charge ₹5,000 from every leader applying for a ticket in the upcoming local body elections—whether they are allotted a ticket or not. In a statement issued today, he stated that the amount will not be refunded to those who fail to get a ticket. “This raises the question: is this money being collected to strengthen the State’s economy or to fill the coffers of the Congress party and its leaders”, he questioned.
Thakur pointed out that such a practice of charging money for ticket applications at the local body level has never happened before in the State. “For the Lok Sabha elections, Himachal Pradesh Congress had imposed a fee of ₹10,000, but at that time, people were seen appealing not to be given tickets rather than seeking them. Applying for a ticket is the right of every worker in any party, and charging money merely for filing an application is not justified. Collecting money for a right granted by democracy is laughable,” he added.
Thakur said that across the world, democratic parties select candidates based on popularity, commitment as a worker, and winning potential. “Parties support their candidates in contesting elections. However, the so‑called “Sukh’s government of change” is charging money just for applying for tickets in local body elections,” he added.
Thakur asserted that in these local and municipal elections, the people of the State will teach Congress a lesson and uproot them. “Citizens are fed up with the anti‑people policies of this government of change, troubled by the lawlessness it supports and protects. The government’s functioning, rising hooliganism, and collapsed law and order have created hardships everywhere, and people are determined to oust Congress. Women too are ready to punish Congress for its false guarantees and for depriving them of their rightful reservation in the legislature,” he concluded.
