Himachal Politics in Turmoil: BJP Demands CM Sukhu's Resignation

Following the Congress's defeat in all four Lok Sabha seats, Himachal Pradesh's opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur calls for CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's resignation. Thakur claims that the Congress government has lost both the people's mandate and popularity. The awaited CPS case judgment could further challenge Sukhu's administration.

The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has lost the people's mandate after its defeat in all four Lok Sabha seats, leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday, urging Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to resign on moral grounds.

The BJP's victory in the polls sends a clear message to Chief Minister Sukhu's government, according to Thakur. Sukhu had previously labeled Thakur a 'flop director' during the election campaign, predicting a loss for Kangana Ranaut, the BJP candidate from the Mandi seat.

Speaking to the media, Thakur emphasized that the Congress government has not only lost its majority in the Rajya Sabha elections but has now also lost its popularity among the people. He raised the possibility of a government change in Himachal Pradesh, highlighting that a judgment on the chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) case could soon be in favor of the BJP. Twelve BJP legislators had challenged the appointment of six CPS by the state government in the High Court, and the decision is pending.

Recalling the 2019 elections, Thakur noted that the BJP had secured all four seats with a record 69 percent vote share. However, under Congress's rule in 2024, the party managed a lead in only seven out of 68 assembly seats, with many ministers, including the chief minister, failing to win their segments.

Criticizing the Congress government for 15 months of failure and loss of public mandate, Thakur demanded Sukhu's resignation. He accused the chief minister of neglecting state development, focusing only on maintaining his government and position. Thakur also mentioned that the defeat of BJP candidates in four out of six assembly bypolls would be reviewed.