1.43 lakh signatures submitted to AICC under ‘vote chor’ campaign

The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has sent 1.43 lakh signatures collected under its statewide campaign, “Vote Chor, Gaddi Chhod”, to the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the campaign was launched across all Assembly segments under the leadership of HPCC president Pratibha Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. “We have gathered signatures from 1.43 lakh citizens across Himachal Pradesh. Such awareness drives are crucial to sensitise voters and safeguard democracy by highlighting discrepancies in electoral rolls,” Sukhu said.

Senior Congress leaders, including CM Sukhu, HPCC president, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Theog MLA and former HPCC chief Kuldeep Rathore and other prominent figures, participated in the campaign.

Pratibha Singh said the signatures were collected in response to concerns over irregularities in electoral rolls raised by Rahul Gandhi. “Our initial target was one lakh signatures, but we surpassed it and have now forwarded 1.43 lakh signatures to the AICC, which will send them to the President,” she said.

Expressing optimism about the political climate, Pratibha Singh added, “People of Bihar are politically conscious and will vote wisely. After Rahul Gandhi’s revelations about irregularities in voter lists, I am confident that winds of change will soon sweep Bihar.”

Sukhu challenges BJP to secure Rs 1,500 crore aid

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday urged state BJP leaders to stop making “false claims” about central assistance and instead ensure the release of the Rs 1,500 crore aid announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Himachal Pradesh.

“I have no objection to going to Delhi along with my council of ministers under the leadership of BJP leaders to seek help for Himachal. But those who boast about the Centre’s sympathy for the state should first ensure that the Rs 1,500 crore announced by the Prime Minister actually reaches Himachal,” Sukhu told mediapersons.

The Chief Minister accused the previous BJP government of “betraying Himachal’s interests” under the banner of a double-engine government. “Very soon, we will present complete details of how the Jai Ram Thakur government willingly surrendered Himachal’s rights. The people deserve to know how their interests were compromised,” he added.

Sukhu also claimed that the internal feud within the BJP was no longer a secret. Referring to remarks made by former CM Jai Ram Thakur, Sukhu said, “Jai Ram himself questioned Anurag Thakur’s leadership, saying that if he was such a tall leader, he should have ensured the victory of more MLAs from his area.” Responding to Anurag Thakur’s recent comparison of BJP leaders to the Pandavas, Sukhu remarked that the BJP’s five warring factions were “Kalyugi Pandavas.”