Eyeing comeback, Himachal BJP launches aggressive strategy at Mandi meet

The two-day state executive meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Mandi district concluded today with a strong political pitch against the ruling Congress government and a detailed roadmap for the 2027 Assembly elections. Senior party leaders projected confidence in forming the next government, claiming growing public dissatisfaction with the current regime.

Addressing party workers, BJP national vice-president, Saudan Singh, stressed that the BJP is determined to form a strong “double engine government” in Himachal Pradesh again. Criticising the Congress, he stated that while the public is suffering, the government remains indifferent. He highlighted BJP’s strategy of strengthening grassroots organisation and declared that from panchayat to Assembly elections, the party would challenge and decisively defeat the Congress, ensuring development, good governance and a powerful organisational presence across every level.

BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh asserted that the “countdown has begun,” stating “In the next 18 months, the Congress government’s exit is certain. The BJP will form the new government with public support.” Chugh criticised what he called the failure of Rahul Gandhi’s “model”, adding that promises made during elections remain unfulfilled. He remarked, “The Congress’ 3.5 years have pushed Himachal back by 35 years.”

BJP state in-charge Shrikant Sharma echoed similar sentiments, claiming that even Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has accepted defeat. “When the Chief Minister himself has admitted that his government won’t return, it is clear that Congress’ end is near,” Sharma said. He set an ambitious organisational target, declaring, “Our goal is to ensure Congress candidates lose deposits across all 8,007 booths.”

Highlighting the campaign strategy, BJP co-incharge Sanjay Tandon emphasised the growing role of digital outreach. He said social media would be a key battleground in shaping public opinion. “We will expose Congress’ failures and bring out the truth behind the ‘10 guarantees’…Not a single one has been fulfilled in three years,” he claimed, adding that platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X would be used for coordinated messaging.

Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also criticised the state government’s governance model, alleging financial mismanagement and favouritism. “The so-called ‘system change’ has become a model of taxes, debt, corruption protection and patronage for friends,” he said. Thakur accused the government of burdening citizens with rising taxes and weakening welfare systems, while claiming that corruption has reached its peak.

On the national front, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a decade of development and global recognition for India. “Under Modi’s leadership, India has witnessed a golden decade of growth and enhanced global stature,” he said. Contrasting the BJP with Congress, he added that the latter had harmed India’s image internationally, while the current government at the Centre has prioritised “nation first”. BJP MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, was absent from this meet.