Nadda: Centre pumped in Rs 3,789 crore as disaster aid, Cong squandered it

Claiming that the Centre has given Rs 3,789 crore as disaster relief to Himachal Pradesh since 2023, BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda accused the state government of misusing the funds and misguiding the people of the state.

Addressing a large gathering at a function organised by the state BJP here today to felicitate him on the stupendous victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, Nadda urged the people to amend the mistake they made in 2022 elections by bringing the BJP back to power in 2027.

“The BJP’s double engine government will put the state back on the path of development. The Congress government has derailed the state from the path of development. This government is steeped in corruption and needs to go and I am sure you will change it,” Nadda said amidst applause and sloganeering from the gathering.

The event was attended by the party’s top state leadership including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, MP Anurag Thakur, state in-charge Shrikant Sharma and others.

Giving details of the disaster-related payments made to the state government, Nadda said the Narendra Modi-led Centre government had helped out Himachal in the past and would help in the future as well. “The Centre has given Rs 3,789 crore as disaster relief to the state. The Centre is certainly not doing any favour but the Congress government should at least be thankful,” said Nadda.

The state government, though, claims that the Centre owes it Rs 9,300 crore under Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) for the losses suffered in the 2023 natural disaster.

Meanwhile, Nadda further said the Centre had given generous funds to the state under Smart Cities project, development of vibrant villages, medical colleges, AIIMS Bilaspur, bulk drug park, four-lane highways, etc. “The state government, however, continues to mislead the people,” he said.

Nadda credited the BJP’s massive electoral victories to the people-centric politics of the party. “The BJP gives a responsible, responsive and accountable government. Ours is a report-card government that delivers on its promises,” Nadda said.

The veteran leader further said the BJP has changed the nature of politics over the last 11 years. “Earlier, governments were formed by all sections of society but would later cater to a particular class, family, caste or religion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has junked the politics of casteism, appeasement and nepotism. Our politics is rooted in accountability and good governance,” said Nadda.