CM dares BJP MPs to fight for Himachal, warns of ₹50,000-crore loss in five years
Shimla/Bilaspur, Feb 5:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday threw a direct challenge to BJP MPs and MLAs, asking them to raise Himachal’s case in Parliament as the state faces a loss of over ₹50,000 crore in the next five years after the Centre stopped annual grants.
Addressing a public meeting at Barthin in Jhandutta Assembly constituency, Sukhu termed February 1 a “black day”, saying the Centre ended nearly ₹10,000 crore in yearly grants Himachal had received for 73 years under constitutional provisions.
Referring to BJP MPs’ press conference in New Delhi, he dared them to plead the state’s case in Parliament. “I am ready to go to Delhi even under BJP MLAs’ leadership. Himachal must come first,” he said.
Rejecting charges of financial mismanagement, the Chief Minister said the Congress government took loans of ₹23,000 crore in three years but repaid ₹26,000 crore, while inheriting liabilities of over ₹50,000 crore from the previous BJP regime.
Sukhu reiterated that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) would continue, alleging the Centre withheld ₹1,600 crore after its implementation. He questioned the Agniveer scheme, asking what youth would do after four years of service.
On disasters, he said losses were assessed at ₹9,300 crore but BJP MPs stayed silent in Parliament. He highlighted that his government raised compensation for collapsed houses from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹7 lakh and provided monthly rent assistance without public demand.
Accusing the BJP of attempts to topple the government, Sukhu said Congress returned to a strength of 40 MLAs with public support. He also accused the Centre of weakening MGNREGA, reducing job opportunities.
The Chief Minister announced key projects for Jhandutta, including bridges at Re-Radoh and Dadhog Tappay, a sub-tehsil at Talai, upgradation of Kalol PHC, CBSE curriculum in select schools, and inaugurated projects worth ₹42.43 crore in the constituency.