BJP national president and Union Minister JP Nadda on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh Government, accusing it of misgovernance, corruption, and deliberately misleading the public by blaming the Centre for the state’s woes. Nadda, addressing media in Dharamshala and later at a press conference in Kangra, asserted that the Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently extended financial and infrastructural support to the state, but the Sukhu government has failed to deliver.
“The Sukhu government is trying to build a false narrative that the Centre has abandoned Himachal. The truth is, every inch of development that has taken place in the state has been under an NDA-led government — be it Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Narendra Modi,” said Nadda.
Backing his statement with data, Nadda revealed that the Centre allocated Rs 11,806 crore to Himachal Pradesh for the current financial year 2025–26. “In the last financial year alone, Rs 10,681 crore was sanctioned, out of which Rs 8,915 crore was released till January. Additionally, Rs 13,285 crore has been given as grants-in-aid, Rs 1,050 crore for capital investment and digitization, and Rs 2,700 crore for railway expansion,” he said.
Nadda sharply criticized the State Government for returning central funds allocated for major developmental projects. “The Union Government sanctioned Rs 25 crore for the Medical Devices Park in Baddi and committed Rs 100 crore overall. Shockingly, the Sukhu Government returned the money. Similarly, Rs 225 crore out of Rs 1,000 crore for the Bulk Drug Park in Una was given, but not a rupee has been utilized even after two years,” he alleged.
He termed the return of funds as unprecedented and symptomatic of the “height of mismanagement and incompetence” within the state government. “This is the only state in the country returning central funds instead of utilizing them for people’s welfare,” Nadda said.
The Union Minister also raised serious concerns over the non-execution of health infrastructure projects, including critical care blocks, integrated public health laboratories, and national centres for disease control, all of which were sanctioned by the Centre.
In Chamba district, selected under the Aspirational District Programme in 2018, Nadda noted significant progress in financial inclusion, education, and agriculture, thanks to central schemes. However, he also flagged administrative delays and lack of state-level initiative that are hampering further growth. “The Modi Government is willing to do everything necessary, but the Congress regime is in a Kumbhakarani sleep,” he remarked.
Further intensifying his criticism, Nadda alleged irregularities in state government spending. “Crores have been spent on advertisements in defunct newspapers like National Herald. When questioned, the Chief Minister shamelessly says, ‘This is my paper, I’ll pay’—is this how governance works?” he asked.
Accusing the Congress Government of financial collapse, Nadda said: “For the first time in Himachal’s history, the treasury was closed on March 31. This shows the depth of fiscal failure.”
Calling on the Sukhu Government to stop the blame game, Nadda declared, “If Congress cannot run the government, it should step down. The people of Himachal will soon give their verdict.”
Nadda Rules Out Return to Himachal Politics Amid BJP Leadership Reshuffle
Dharamshala: BJP national president JP Nadda on Sunday ruled out any possibility of returning to Himachal Pradesh politics, stating that he remains committed to his current role at the national level. “I am in a responsible position, and there is no possibility of coming back to the state,” he told reporters at a press conference.
Nadda, who took over as BJP president in February 2020, has been continuing in the role beyond his original three-year term. The saffron party is now gearing up to appoint new state chiefs, which is expected to pave the way for the selection of his successor.
Sources earlier indicated that a national presidential election is likely to follow after state leadership appointments are finalized in the coming days. Once the appointment is made in some of the states, the process for electing Nadda's replacement will begin soon, a party leader had said.
When asked about the Himachal BJP leadership, Nadda confirmed, “The state BJP president will be elected soon.” His comments come amid speculation about a possible return to state politics after his national tenure concludes.