BJP vs Congress over Union Budget 2026-27
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Dr Rajiv Bindal on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress government of misleading the people over the Union Budget, claiming the Narendra Modi-led Centre has made strong and development-oriented provisions for the hill state.
Addressing the media, Bindal said the CM, Deputy CM and ministers were presenting “incorrect figures” to create a false narrative. “The Modi government has ensured Himachal’s growth through the Union Budget and is steadily increasing financial support,” he said.
He stated that Himachal has received nearly ₹14,000 crore under tax devolution this year—about ₹2,500 crore more than last year. “This money directly benefits the people of the state,” Bindal said.
Highlighting infrastructure spending, he said around ₹3,000 crore has been approved for railway expansion, while 2,700 km of four-lane highways are under construction with an investment of nearly ₹40,000 crore. An additional ₹10,000 crore has been provided for roads under PMGSY, CRF and BRO projects, he added.
Bindal said the Centre has also ensured funding for health and education, and between 2020 and 2026, Himachal received around ₹8,000 crore as special assistance, including ₹1,200 crore last year.
Taking a swipe at the Sukhu government, the BJP leader alleged that development work had been stalled for over three years. “The Congress has invented a new narrative—a dream at night and a demand of ₹50,000 crore in the morning,” he remarked.
Raising questions on disaster relief, Bindal asked where the ₹6,000 crore provided during disasters had gone and alleged irregularities in the allotment of nearly one lakh permanent houses. “Is this government in power to stage dharnas and hunger strikes?” he asked.
He said ₹95,000 crore has been allocated under the MGNREGA-linked scheme—about ₹15,000 crore more than earlier—and ₹30,000 crore earmarked to clear pending dues, but accused the state government of not releasing its share and stalling works.
Bindal also said the Union Budget provides for making Himachal a pharma hub, calling it a major employment opportunity. “The Bulk Drug Park was given by the Modi government, but the Congress government rejected it,” he said.
However, while defending the Centre’s budget, Bindal remained silent on Himachal’s key demands, including green cess, enhancement of the borrowing limit, higher Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) and additional climate- and disaster-linked support.
He concluded by accusing the Congress of indulging in “failed politics” by misleading the public, asserting that the Centre continues to support Himachal across sectors.