Himachal Pradesh Assembly Sees Tensions Rise as BJP Criticizes CM Sukhu's Absence
Sunil Chadha
Shimla: On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha was the scene of intense exchanges as members of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a fierce critique against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
The BJP legislators vocally accused the Chief Minister of neglecting the state's pressing issues, leading to a dramatic exit from the Assembly. They chanted slogans, asserting that CM Sukhu was more focused on political engagements outside Himachal than addressing the state's urgent needs.
Among the slogans resonating in the Assembly were “Himachal mein haahakaar hai, CM Sukhu farar hai” (Himachal is in crisis, but the CM is missing) and “Himachal ki janta trast hai, Sukhu Bihar mein mast hai” (the people of Himachal are suffering, while Sukhu is enjoying in Bihar).
This protest was sparked by CM Sukhu's ongoing trip to Bihar, which the BJP interprets as a sign of his disregard for the severe rain-related disasters affecting Himachal.
In recent weeks, heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods have wreaked havoc across various districts, disrupting connectivity and displacing numerous families. The Chief Minister's absence during this crisis has become a contentious issue in the Assembly.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur criticized Sukhu's trip during a press conference in Shimla, emphasizing that the state needs leadership on the ground rather than political tours elsewhere. The slogans raised in the Assembly reflected this sentiment, amplifying the opposition's efforts to depict the government as disconnected and insensitive.
The uproar led to a temporary halt in proceedings, after which the opposition walked out, allowing the ruling party to continue the session without them. Political analysts suggest that such confrontations indicate a growing rivalry between the ruling Congress and the BJP as elections approach.
As the monsoon continues to cause destruction across Himachal, the focus on governance and crisis management is likely to dominate political discussions in the days ahead. For the residents of Himachal, the immediate need for relief and rehabilitation remains paramount, a concern both political factions claim to address while clashing fiercely in the Assembly.