At Mandi Sankalp Rally, Sukhu, Agnihotri and Vinay Kumar Set the Tone.
Absence of Pratibha, Vikramaditya Fuels Speculation Online
Mandi:
The Congress turned the Mandi Sankalp Rally into a show of strength as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, State Congress President Vinay Kumar, Rajni Patil and Cabinet Ministers attacked BJP for betraying people of Himachal by blocking Flow of funds from the Centre.
But the absence of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and former Congress chief Pratibha Singh, wife of six-time CM late Virbhadra Singh, instantly set social media buzzing with rumours of rifts, equations and shifting loyalties within the party.
Sukhu did not set up any new narrative and made any Sankalp other other than announcing that if people stand by Congress Government he would make Himachal Atam Nirbhar by 2027 and most prosperous by 2032.
He began with a local pitch and invoked Gandhi's support for a commoner like him who does not have any political background, declaring that Congress is a party of that mindset which is in sharp contrast to BJP’s Hindu mindset.
He also took a swipe at the Opposition BJP for questioning his leadership and humble family background.
“Even God cannot save this government—this is what they said. But the blessings of people and God have brought us to 40 seats,” he said, pointing out to the last political crisis during the election of the Rajya Sabha MP, in which Harsh Mahajan won on the basis of toss against Congress' Abhishek Manu Singhvi when four Congress MLAs and two independent had joined BJP.
‘I still drive an Alto, I know the pain of the common man’, he further said.
In his trademark emotional style, Sukhu narrated his personal journey, saying he continues to travel in his Alto.
“I bought my first car, a Maruti 800, with hard work. Today I use an Alto, not to show off, even though CM is written before my name. I know the struggle of a common man,” he said while accusing BJP leaders of mocking his small car and his ordinary family background.
He warned the Opposition that “this is just the beginning of the battle” and said the youth were rallying behind Congress for honesty, employment, and respect for women.
Targets BJP over disaster relief politics
Referring to the 2023 natural disaster, Sukhu accused the BJP of “celebrating instead of standing with the affected people.”
He cited how he ensured rescued of over 75000 tourists in record time that got him the praise of the world bank.
He said even the home segment of former CM Jairam Thakur suffered major damage, “but our Congress government gave Seraj the most relief, without any discrimination.”
Rolls out Congress government’s ‘achievement list’
Sukhu then launched into a rapid-fire list of government decisions. He claimed the BJP was misleading people about milk procurement. “Earlier families had to sell milk at uncertain rates. Now we are procuring 10–20 litres at ₹51 per litre. BJP talks of ₹2, ₹3 rates—these are lies,” he said.
He said the government launched universal cartons for apple farmers and other produce and blamed the previous BJP government for “abandoning orchardists”.
Sukhu said the government launched Rs 680 Crore start-up ecosystem. The government provided ₹10 lakh subsidy on e-taxis, along with ₹75,000 monthly assured earnings for the next four years.
Sukhu said English medium education has been introduced in all schools, fulfilling a stalled promise giving level playing field to the students studying in the government schools.
‘BJP sold Himachal land cheap to big industrialists’
The CM accused the previous BJP government of massive corruption in land and registration.
“4500 bighas were handed over at throwaway prices. A bigha worth ₹10 lakh was given for ₹45,000. Registration fees were waived for select industrialists. This is the BJP’s model,” he said.
He added that electricity bills and excise contracts were manipulated during BJP’s tenure, while the Congress government “cleaned the system”.
₹300 crore recovered after 23 years
Sukhu claimed the state recovered ₹300 crore from a long-pending case involving a major hospitality group from Wildflower Hall resort.
“This money is Himachal’s. The court ruled in our favour. We fought that battle and deposited ₹300 crore in the treasury,” he said. The government got over 300 crore extra royalty from JSW in the hydropower project after a court battle, he added.
He accused the BJP of lacking moral authority. “They preach honesty but are stuck in the swamp of corruption.”
Ends with a call for unity
Sukhu concluded with an emotional appeal: “If you stand with us, Himachal’s destiny will change in two years. The picture of Himachal will change. We will jail the corrupt, and we will continue to fight for the people.”
Mukesh Agnihotri: Act Tough against conspirators
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri countered the BJP’s campaign about instability.
“The Congress is united, stable and focused,” he said. “Rumours won’t shake us. Our government is delivering — from OPS to milk prices to power reforms.”
Mukesh set the tone with an angry pitch saying that the certain officers in key positions are acting as BJP informers and the CM should act against them as the Congress workers were not having their say.
He warned Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to act tough against “double dealers” and conspirators within and outside the government.
He said those spreading propaganda or working against the government — “acting like BJP agents” — would be “dealt with firmly, even in the dark if needed.” Agnihotri urged the CM to tighten control over the bureaucracy, alleging that some officers were “actively sabotaging” the government.
“This soft approach won’t work. Take the stick in your hand and act. Such forces must be tackled head-on,” he declared.
He said Mandi’s rally was a “decisive signal” ahead of 2027.
“Himachal knows who works for them and who works for photo-ops. Sukhu ji ने साफ कहा है— honesty, transparency and relief to common people is our path.”
Congress President Vinay Kumar: “Our strength is grassroots, not hashtags”
State Congress president Vinay Kumar dismissed online speculation and claimed the party had regained its ground.
“Our strength is the grassroots, not WhatsApp forwards and hashtags,” he said.
“We restored OPS, supported farmers, pushed startup schemes and cleaned up liquor and power deals. This rally shows the Congress is marching ahead with confidence.”
He said the Opposition had “no agenda except trolling”.
No-show of Vikramaditya, Pratibha Sparks Chatter
Even before the speeches ended, social media was flooded with questions about the absence of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and ex-president Pratibha Singh. Both have strong bases in Mandi as Virbhadra Singh had a long connect with people of Mandi district, making their no-show conspicuous.
Instagram stories, local Facebook pages and political X handles trended with lines like: “Are equations shifting in Mandi politics?” “PWD minister missing from mega rally — what’s brewing.
Sukhu repeated: “हम अहंकार नहीं, सेवा की राजनीति करते हैं. This is the new Himachal.”
Agnihotri concluded with a sharp line: "We know how to deal with such dubious officers in dark of the night".
“बीजेपी का काम अफवाहें उड़ाना है, हमारा काम सरकार चलाना है.”
The rally targeted Mandi where BJP has nine MLAs and Congress has just one, sending a message that the party treats all region equally, with an aim to make some anti-incumbency dent into BJP seats when going to polls two years from now.