SHIMLA:  Buoyed by party’s recent victory in four states,  Bharatiya Janata Party National President Jagat Prakash Nadda took on the state Congress charging that the BJP double engine government protected the interests of the state and gave many developmental projects and incentives to Himachal Pradesh while Congress party has always compromised on the interests of people of state.

After getting rousing reception after Nadda led the road show  in the capital city, he  addressed public meeting at the  Abhinandan Ceremony organized in Peterhof in his honour,   celebrating BJP's massive victory in the recent four-state assembly elections. Earlier, Nadda paid his tributes to Dr B R Ambhedkar at his statue at Chhaura Maidan  in a gesture to woo the dalits of the state. 

Nadda patted back of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur for his performance in the state  and tried to put up the united face of the BJP ahead of the state assembly elections, which are just few months away.  Before his arrival in his home state,  Nadda staged "coup" in the ranks of the fledgling AAP as two of its officer bearers joined BJP soon after the Arvind Kejrival staged an impressive show in Mandi on April 6.  

Jagat Prakash Nadda while expressing his gratitude to the people for warm welcome said it is not only a matter of honor for him but it is an honor for every party worker who has strengthened the base of BJP in the country. This achievement has been possible due to the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who ensured to bring back the lost pride of the country so that every citizen of the country can live with pride and honour, Nadda said.

He said that the Prime Minister ensured that the welfare of the weaker, backward sections of the society, who were deprived of welfare schemes, is ensured. It was due this  that BJP registered victory in four states, he claimed.

Nadda said that after 38 years any government in Uttar Pradesh has succeeded in repeating its government.  Congress candidates in 389 seats and AAP candidates in all 377 seats lost their deposits, he said.

Nadda said that for the first time any government has been successful in repeating its government in Uttarakhand. It is for the first time BJP has won Manipur on its own, he added.

Putting up the development agenda rather than the pollical attack against Congress, which had won the four seats last year in by-elections in Himachal,  Nadda said that MNCs have set up nine food parks in the state. Himachal  has emerged as a pharma hub and more than 12 companies are exporting their products across the world, he added.

Nadda said that the special category status of the state has also been restored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 90:10 ratio between the Center and the state has been restored for various projects during the tenure of BJP. The special industrial package was provided for Himachal Pradesh by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Koldam project was started during his tenure. This scheme was dedicated to the state by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said that with the BJP taking over power at the Center, the work of Luhri project was done at a rapid pace. “Atal Tunnel is a priceless gift of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of the state. The dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee has come true with the completion of this tunnel, Nadda claimed.

BJP Chief said Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for developmental projects worth Rs 11,500 crore for the people of the state on completion of the four-year term of the state government. During the tenure of BJP, projects like IIM and AIIMS were approved for the state. Rs 1400 crore is being spent for the construction of AIIMS, he said.

This project would be dedicated to the people of the state in the month of June this year. As a result of the efforts of the BJP government at the Centre, medical colleges were sanctioned for Chamba, Sirmaur, Hamirpur and Mandi in the state, Nadda said.

Appreciating the efforts of the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Jagat Prakash Nadda said Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the country to achieve the target of 100% vaccination of target groups. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, 9.37 lakh farmers of the state were being provided Rs 6000 per year.

He said that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, more than 8.37 lakh water connections have been provided in the state during the last two years, whereas only eight lakh water connections were provided in the state during the last 40 years. A Medical Device Park would be set up in Nalagarh at a cost of Rs 261 crore and the State Government was making firm efforts to sanction Bulk Drug Park from the Center to the State, he said.

He said that more than 5.40 lakh people are registered under Himcare scheme and 18000 patients are registered under Sahara Yojana and Rs 340 crore has been spent under this scheme.
 National President said for the Smart City Project for Shimla city, Rs 194 crore was provided by the Central Government while Rs 190 crore was provided by the present State Government. Parking for more than 700 vehicles is being made in IGMC while parking for 400 vehicles is being made in Vikasnagar, he said.

Nadda said Rs 194 crore was being spent under the Dharamshala Smart City project. He said that the BJP always strives for the welfare of the poor and weaker sections without any discrimination. He urged the party workers to take the achievements and developmental works of the Central and State Governments among the people.

Nadda said more than 23,000 youth of the country were brought back from war-torn Ukraine, out of which about 430 students were from Himachal Pradesh. The vaccination campaign was started in the country within nine months of the outbreak of Corona epidemic, he added.
Jagat Prakash Nadda also handed over the name plaques to the booth owners under the campaign 'Let's go to the booth - go towards victory'.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state is fortunate that the world's largest political party is being led by the son of the soul. It is only in the BJP an ordinary party worker can reach the highest post whereas all other parties are being led by family members, Thakur charged.

Thakur said Himachal Pradesh despite being a small state is fortunate to have a son of the state as its National President and Anurag Singh Thakur is representing the state as an energetic Union Minister who holds important ministries like Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi considers Himachal Pradesh as his second home and is always sensitive to the developmental demands of the state. BJP government worked hard during the last four years to make the state a leading state in the country. Congress party has completely lost its base in the entire country, he claimed.
 Chief Minister said the Central Government has provided special assistance of Rs 800 crore to the State so that the development of the State is ensured in a smooth manner.All this has been possible due to the double engine governments of the Center and the state. The central government has provided all possible help to the state so that the state moves on the path of progress and prosperity.
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said that after winning all the four states under the able leadership of BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, now BJP will win in Gujarat and Himachal as well. About  80 crore people were provided free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana so that no one would go hungry during the pandemic. He appreciated the efforts of the state to become a leading state in the country in achieving the target of 100% vaccination of eligible age group.
State BJP President Suresh Kashyap while welcoming the National President of BJP said that Himachal is the first state in the country to have the concept of Tridev till the booth level. BJP has been successful in strengthening its base in the state.

 He said that a grand campaign has been started in the state under “Chalene booth ki Oar… jeet kar”. BJP workers have done a commendable job in helping the needy people during the Corona epidemic, he added. He assured the BJP National President that the BJP would again form its government in the state.
BJP National Vice President Saudan Singh, BJP in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna, BJP co-in-charge Sanjay Tandon, Minister, MLA, President of various boards and corporations, BJP General Secretary Trilok Jamwal, Trilok Kapoor and Rakesh Jamwal, State Organization General Secretary Pawan Rana, President and the General Secretary of front line organisations were present on the occasion.

(Kuldeep Chauhan is Editor, Himbu Mail)