Shimla, March 11, 2025 – The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha witnessed a fiery debate on the Governor’s address, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launching a sharp counterattack against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) allegations.
Sukhu refuted claims of financial mismanagement and accused the previous BJP regime of pushing the state into a debt crisis.
"Not a Favor, But Our Right": Sukhu on Central Funding
Responding to the BJP’s charges, Sukhu asserted that Himachal Pradesh is entitled to financial assistance from the Union Government as per constitutional provisions.
> “We are not seeking a favor. What we are asking for is our rightful share,” he said, emphasizing that the Centre had failed to adequately compensate Himachal for losses incurred during the 2023 monsoon disaster.
BJP's Rs 1 Lakh Crore Debt Accusation
Earlier, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur slammed the Congress government, claiming that it had borrowed ₹30,000 crore in just two years, taking the state's total debt to ₹1 lakh crore.
He alleged that essential welfare schemes, including the Mahila Samman Nidhi, had failed, reaching only 22,000 women instead of the promised 23 lakh.
OPS, Salaries, and Pension Delays: Sukhu’s Defense
Sukhu countered BJP’s claims by highlighting that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) revival was a welfare measure, not a financial liability.
He stressed that Himachal Pradesh is awaiting the return of ₹9,200 crore contributed to the New Pension Scheme (NPS) from the central government.
He also dismissed claims of salary delays, attributing financial constraints to past BJP misgovernance.
Political Firestorm on Social Media
Social media platforms erupted following the debate.
#SukhuVsBJP trended on Twitter, with Congress supporters hailing Sukhu’s rebuttal.
BJP sympathizers flooded Facebook and WhatsApp groups, accusing the government of “excuses instead of execution.”
Influencers and political analysts debated whether Himachal is being neglected by the Centre due to political differences.
The Road Ahead
With the budget session in full swing, all eyes are on how Himachal’s financial future unfolds.
Will the Centre release pending funds? Can the Sukhu government deliver on its promises? The coming weeks will be crucial for the state's political landscape.
Stay tuned for exclusive updates. Share your views in the comments!
