Chief Minister should stop issuing certificates to BJP MPs and focus on over three years of his government, deteriorating finances and stalled development: Suresh Kashyap

Shimla: Former BJP State President and Member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap, while interacting with the media during the Foundation Day programme at the CPRI headquarters, launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress Government over the state’s financial condition, development, Central assistance and the HIMCARE scheme.

Kashyap said the Chief Minister should stop questioning the role of BJP MPs and instead focus on the deteriorating financial condition of Himachal Pradesh and the slowdown in development.

“I want to tell the Chief Minister very clearly that BJP MPs do not require a certificate from him. All our Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs understand their responsibilities very well. We do not need instructions from the Chief Minister on how and where to raise issues concerning Himachal Pradesh,” he said.

Centre has consistently supported Himachal

Suresh Kashyap said that whenever issues concerning Himachal Pradesh have been raised before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government, the Centre has extended full cooperation to the state.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Ministers for consistently supporting Himachal, including during difficult circumstances and natural disasters.

“The State Government’s ministers go to Delhi, meet Union Ministers, present bouquets and seek funds for Himachal. They return with financial assistance and approvals, but afterwards they even forget to thank the Central Government,” Kashyap said.

He said Himachal Pradesh continues to benefit from its special-category status, with several Centrally Sponsored Schemes being funded in the 90:10 ratio, significantly reducing the financial burden on the State Government.

“Whether it is disaster assistance or development schemes, the Central Government has consistently stood with Himachal Pradesh. The Congress Government should acknowledge this support instead of indulging in political allegations against the Centre,” he said.

Government should work towards the self-reliance it promises

On the issue of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), Kashyap said it was a temporary arrangement with a defined framework.

He said the Congress Government repeatedly claims that Himachal will become self-reliant by 2027 and one of the most developed states in the country by 2030, but at the same time it continues to blame the Centre for its financial difficulties.

“If the Government genuinely wants to make Himachal self-reliant, it should increase the state’s own revenue, control unnecessary expenditure and reduce its dependence on borrowings,” he said.

Kashyap expressed concern over the pace at which the State Government was raising fresh loans, saying that continuously taking loan after loan without creating adequate productive assets was a serious concern for Himachal’s economic future.

Reduce the ‘army of friends’, not officers

Reacting to reports regarding a proposal to reduce the cadre strength of IAS, IPS and other All India Service officers in Himachal Pradesh, Kashyap said the Government was trying to cut expenditure in the wrong place.

“Instead of reducing the cadre of IAS and IPS officers, the Chief Minister should reduce the cadre of his ‘friends’. Officers have a crucial role in administration and the development of the state. The Government should cut unnecessary political appointments and wasteful expenditure rather than weakening the administrative structure,” he said.

Kashyap said reducing the number of officers should not be projected as a major financial reform while avoidable political expenditure continues unchecked.

BJP has only one faction—the Bharatiya Janata Party

Responding to Congress leaders’ allegations of factionalism within the BJP, Suresh Kashyap said, “There is only one faction in the BJP, and that is the Bharatiya Janata Party.”

He said the Congress would realise BJP’s organisational unity and strength as the 2027 Assembly elections approach.

Kashyap said the recent Panchayati Raj and urban local body election results had already indicated the political mood of the people. He claimed that BJP had received widespread support in Zila Parishads, BDCs, Panchayats and urban bodies.

He further said that BJP had established its leadership in three out of four Municipal Corporations.

“If these elections are considered the semi-final before 2027, the people of Himachal have already sent a clear message to the Congress Government. The final answer will come in the 2027 Assembly elections,” he said.

Vande Mataram and the Tricolour are above politics

On the controversy surrounding Vande Mataram, Kashyap strongly criticised the Congress leadership and said respect for the National Song, the Tricolour and Bharat Mata was not a matter of political convenience but one of national pride.

He accused Congress leaders of adopting an inappropriate approach towards Vande Mataram and said national symbols and matters of national honour should never be subjected to vote-bank politics.

“For us, whether it is Vande Mataram, the Tricolour or Bharat Mata, the nation comes first. There can be no compromise when it comes to the honour of our country,” he said.

Kashyap also criticised Rahul Gandhi, alleging that several of his remarks made abroad had attempted to portray India negatively. He said Congress leaders should introspect before questioning the BJP on issues of national interest.

Do not deprive poor families of HIMCARE

Speaking on the HIMCARE scheme, Suresh Kashyap said the scheme had provided crucial financial protection for healthcare to poor and needy families across Himachal Pradesh.

He said that if the State Government suspects irregularities in the implementation of the scheme, it has every right to conduct a fair investigation and take strict action against anyone found guilty.

However, he cautioned against using alleged irregularities as a justification to weaken or discontinue the scheme.

“If there are irregularities, investigate them. If anyone is guilty, punish them. If there are shortcomings, correct them. But do not take away healthcare support from the poor. HIMCARE has been a lifeline for thousands of needy families,” Kashyap said.

He said the Congress Government should move beyond political allegations and concentrate on the real challenges confronting Himachal Pradesh.

“More than three years of this Government have passed. The Chief Minister should focus on managing the state’s economy, controlling debt and unnecessary expenditure, accelerating development and strengthening welfare schemes for the poor instead of lecturing BJP MPs about their responsibilities,” Kashyap said.