Jairam Thakur Slams Congress Hunger Strike as 'Political Drama' Over Viksit Bharat Guarantee
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Himachal Pradesh Congress government over its hunger strike against the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB—G RAM G), labeling it a "political drama" orchestrated to appease senior party leadership in Delhi.
Thakur Praises Central Law as Milestone for Transparent Governance
Thakur emphasized that the new central legislation represents a significant milestone for transparent and corruption-free governance. He highlighted how digitization and biometric attendance systems under the scheme are designed to eliminate middlemen and accelerate village development, ensuring funds reach beneficiaries directly without leakage.
Accusations of Double Standards Against Chief Minister Sukhu
The LoP accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of exhibiting double standards in his approach to rural empowerment. Thakur pointed out that while Sukhu publicly advocates for empowering panchayat heads, his administration stalled panchayat elections under the Disaster Management Act, leaving panchayats under administrators instead of elected representatives.
"This move has not only hampered local development but also jeopardized the effective implementation of schemes like MGNREGA," Thakur argued, stressing that democratic processes are crucial for grassroots governance.
Congress Prioritizing Gandhi Family Over Genuine Rural Schemes
Thakur criticized the Congress party for allegedly prioritizing the Gandhi family over genuine rural employment initiatives. He cited past instances in Chhattisgarh where central schemes were renamed after Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, suggesting a pattern of political symbolism over substantive policy work.
Modi Govt's Enhanced MGNREGA Funding and Workdays
Highlighting the central government's commitment to rural employment, Thakur noted that the Modi administration has significantly increased MGNREGA funding from Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 90,000 crore. Additionally, workdays under the scheme have doubled compared to the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, demonstrating a robust focus on livelihood generation.
Public Boycott Reflects Growing Disillusionment
Thakur alleged that the state administration was misused to gather crowds for the hunger strike, but the public boycott of the event reflected growing disillusionment with such political theatrics. He asserted that citizens are increasingly recognizing the Viksit Bharat Guarantee's potential for transformative rural development.
In conclusion, Thakur's remarks underscore a deepening political rift in Himachal Pradesh, with the opposition framing the Congress protest as an insincere maneuver detached from the real needs of rural communities.
