Himachal’s Congress Government Will Complete Full Term: Mukesh Agnihotri
In a spirited rally marking two years of Congress rule at Lahuno Ground in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri confidently dismissed speculations about the stability of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government. He urged government officers to focus on serving the public and avoid indulging in baseless predictions about the government’s tenure.
A Firm Response to Critics
Targeting detractors, particularly the BJP, Agnihotri declared that “Mission Lotus” had failed. He asserted, “The Congress government will not only complete its five-year term but will also secure a mandate for another term in the next election. Bureaucratic gossip cannot shake this government.”
Responding to former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s allegations of financial instability in the state, Agnihotri issued a challenge: “If Mr. Thakur can provide evidence of any instance where HRTC drivers or conductors were not paid, I will resign. Since he cannot, he should stop making baseless accusations and step down from spreading lies.”
Debunking the “Toilet Tax” Controversy
Ridiculing Thakur’s remarks about alleged taxation on pressure cookers and public toilets, Agnihotri quipped, “If Mr. Thakur is so intrigued by the idea of a toilet tax, perhaps he should calculate his imaginary figures while sitting in one. Our government is focused on infrastructure development, not political distractions.”
Ambitious Development Plans
The Deputy Chief Minister announced a Rs 700 crore project to modernize the state’s transport system by replacing 2,400 old buses with electric ones. He also highlighted the Congress government’s efforts in completing the Theog Bus Stand project, which he claimed the BJP had wrongly credited to itself.
Agnihotri unveiled another significant project—a Rs 2,000 crore ropeway initiative for Shimla. This project aims to enhance urban mobility and set a new benchmark for infrastructure development in the state.
Protecting Public Assets
Addressing concerns about the alleged sale of public properties, Agnihotri assured the people that no HPTDC properties, including the iconic Wildflower Hall, would be sold under Congress rule. He accused the BJP of attempting to sell public assets during its tenure, citing the Global Investors’ Meet as an example of such efforts.
Employment and Growth: Key Focus Areas
On tackling unemployment, Agnihotri announced that the results of the Hamirpur Subordinate Services Commission exams would be declared within a month. He criticized the BJP for leaving behind a legacy of debt and unemployment, contrasting it with the Congress’s vision of job creation and economic growth.
Concluding his address, Agnihotri reminded the BJP of the Congress government’s two successful years in power. “Instead of plotting our downfall, the BJP should focus on rebuilding its own position. Himachal has no place for their politics of negativity,” he remarked.
With a strong commitment to governance and a vision for the future, Deputy CM Agnihotri reinforced the Congress’s dedication to stability, progress, and development in Himachal Pradesh.
