Mandi, May 23
Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, addressing a press conference in Mandi, launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the state government. He said the frustration over Congress’s defeat in the Nagar Panchayat and Nagar Parishad elections is evident in the cabinet’s decisions. According to him, the Sukhu government is indulging in deceit and money‑driven politics. The Congress, which made big promises during elections, has now backed away from them.
Thakur said Congress had guaranteed 300 units of free electricity, but after coming to power, it even scrapped the 125 units of free electricity that people were receiving during the BJP government. Families who earlier had zero bills now face charges of at least ₹750. “The government first abolished slab‑based subsidies, causing a steep rise in bills and now even students living away from home for studies and competitive exam preparation are being forced to pay high electricity costs. Additional electricity cess has been imposed on hotels, private hospitals, petrol pumps, shopping malls and multiplexes. Earlier milk cess and environment cess were levied, and now new taxes are continuously being added, increasing the burden on citizens,” he said.
Thakur also questioned the decision to extend the tenure of medical college professors, saying the government is merely pushing its financial liabilities forward. Even payments like GPF and dues of retired employees are not being made on time. Thakur accused the Chief Minister of serious violations of the code of conduct, alleging that Congress has been the mastermind behind such practices. “Before assembly elections, women and youth were made to fill out forms under various schemes, but those forms were left gathering dust in offices. During Lok Sabha elections, attempts were made to gain electoral advantage through the Samman Nidhi scheme, but most women did not benefit,” he added.
Thakur said that even during the Mandi municipal elections, the Chief Minister kept making announcements to lure voters. Through cabinet meetings and media, grand declarations were made to influence the electoral atmosphere. He further alleged that the Chief Minister is continuously misleading the public with false claims. Budgets for social security and welfare schemes have been heavily cut. Funds received from the Centre are not being used properly, and the debt burden on the state is rising. In conclusion, Thakur said the people of the state now understand the gap between the government’s words and actions, and when the time comes, they will respond democratically.
