Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 22 (ANI): Ahead of the restructuring of the state body of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, top leaders from the state convened in Shimla to discuss the reorganisation of the state party unit and to strategise against the BJP’s ongoing campaign targeting the Congress over B R Ambedkar’s legacy.
With the state Congress body dissolved for a long time, the leadership is now focused on its revival and preparing for both local and national elections.
The meeting, held at Rajiv Bhavan in Shimla, was chaired by Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Pratibha Singh and attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, ministers, MLAs, and chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of boards and corporations.
One of the central topics discussed was the BJP’s alleged misinformation campaign about B R Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. In response, the Congress announced a state-level rally under the banner of “Save the Constitution” to be held on April 25 at Chaura Maidan, Shimla. This rally will be held in coordination with nationwide protests planned by the Congress.
Speaking with ANI and later to the media, state Congress Chief Pratibha Singh said that the BJP is “spreading lies” and the party will launch a campaign. She also said that the state body of the party will be formed soon.
“The BJP is spreading lies among the people about Dr B R Ambedkar. Congress will give a fitting reply to this false propaganda through the ‘Save the Constitution’ campaign,” she said.
Chief Minister Sukhu stated that the April 25 rally will mark the commencement of a year-long campaign, which will be carried out in every district, assembly segment, and ultimately at the village level.
“Today’s meeting was attended by former office-bearers, current leaders, and even those who recently contested elections. We’ve been instructed to strengthen block-level units, and soon our state party body will be functional. Panchayat elections are also coming up, and we are preparing for the general elections too. We’ve received some guidelines from the AICC, and strategy discussions are underway,” Singh elaborated.
Responding to BJP spokesperson Bansuri Swaraj’s recent remark against National Herald, where she called it a “scam,” Pratibha Singh dismissed it as mere media sensationalism.
“Such statements and actions are just tactics to grab headlines. They hold no real significance. These are just attention-seeking attempts,” she said.
On the delay in reviving the state unit, Singh said that due to organisational session in Gujarat, there was a little bit of delay, but confirmed that AICC in-charge Rajni Patil will visit Himachal on April 25 to expedite the process.
“Once Rajni Patil ji visits, we will move swiftly to restructure the body. We’ve also spoken to the Chief Minister about including more party leaders in boards and corporations to strengthen the organization,” she added.
Meanwhile, addressing the media at the meeting venue in Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of lying to the public across the country and the state.
“The BJP is spreading falsehoods throughout the country. Even their Union Ministers are coming to Himachal and making baseless statements,” Sukhu said.
He specifically rejected the BJP’s allegations of delays in land acquisition and project implementation in the state.
“After the Congress came to power, the pace of development work increased. The accusations regarding land acquisition are unfounded. In fact, under the BJP’s so-called ‘double-engine government,’ the interests of Himachal were looted,” the Chief Minister stated.
Sukhu also reiterated his previous charge that there was an attempt to exploit Himachal’s natural wealth during the BJP’s rule.
“Even in the case of the Bulk Drug Park, there was an effort to loot Himachal Pradesh’s resources. Since coming to power, the Congress government has worked hard to safeguard the state’s assets,” he said.
“The BJP is spreading misleading propaganda about Dr. Ambedkar across the country, and the Congress will give them a strong and effective reply. A detailed strategy has been chalked out in today’s meeting,” he added. (ANI)