Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Himachal CM Sukhu in Gagret: “We took an oath to break the back of corruption — and we’ve succeeded”
Babushahi Bureau
Gagret (Himachal Pradesh), June 7, 2025: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lashed out at the previous BJP-led “double engine government” during his visit to Gagret, where he announced development projects worth crores for the region and praised newly elected Congress MLA Rakesh Kalia for his integrity and commitment.
Addressing a public gathering, CM Sukhu declared. “From the day I took oath as Chief Minister, I resolved to dismantle the corrupt system — and in the last two and a half years, we have made significant progress. By shutting down backdoor corruption, the state has earned over ₹3,000 crore in additional revenue.”
Criticism of BJP’s “Freebie Politics”
The Chief Minister slammed the former BJP government for its financial mismanagement, accusing it of pushing the state’s economy into crisis.
“Just six months before elections, the BJP distributed ₹5,000 crore worth of freebies, creating a massive financial burden,” Sukhu said.
“They even extended free electricity and water benefits to those paying crores in taxes, whereas we have targeted benefits — like 125 free units of electricity for the poor.”
Praise for MLA Rakesh Kalia and Voter Trust
Sukhu hailed Rakesh Kalia as a dedicated leader focused entirely on local development, saying,
“Kalia has no lust for power or position. He lost his ticket last time due to political conspiracies, but with Maa Chintpurni's blessings and the people’s support, he returned stronger.”
He pointedly noted that the former MLA, who won in the previous election, had “sold out in the political marketplace,” leading to the by-election in which Kalia reclaimed the seat on a Congress ticket.
“I had promised the people of Gagret that if you elect Kalia, there will be no shortage of development,” Sukhu said. “Today, that promise stands fulfilled.”
The Chief Minister also aimed at the current state of the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, saying the party is now split into five factions, each playing its own tune:
“It’s a case of apni daphli, apna raag (everyone playing their own drum).”
CM Sukhu emphasized that the revenue recovered from curbing corruption is being redirected into public welfare schemes. “We are committed to serving the people with transparency and accountability,” he said.
With his visit, the Chief Minister signaled both political strength and development intent, reinforcing his administration's mission to restore economic health and uphold good governance in Himachal Pradesh.