Speaking to mediapersons here, Sukhu claimed that a major shift had taken place in the country’s electoral politics since 2014. He said while elections in earlier years were fought through conventional campaigning methods such as posters, banners and loudspeakers, the BJP had changed the political landscape by using constitutional and investigative agencies to influence poll outcomes.
“Before 2014, there was no such pressure on independent agencies in a democracy for winning elections,” he said. “Though everything may be considered fair in love and war, the BJP has crossed limits and adopted practices that the Congress never used to win elections.”
The Chief Minister alleged that the BJP had benefitted electorally in several states through political polarisation. Referring to elections in West Bengal, he claimed that the BJP had attempted to exploit anti-incumbency sentiment and communal polarisation for political gains.
He also raised doubts over the credibility of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), asserting that questions over their authenticity continue to persist. “Anybody can hack EVMs, that is a fact. Even in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress vote share in Himachal Pradesh did not reflect the actual electoral outcome, which raised serious concerns,” he alleged.
Sukhu maintained that despite setbacks in some states, the Congress remained the principal challenger to the BJP at the national level. He pointed out that the party had fielded candidates on all 294 seats in West Bengal after nearly two decades and said the Congress would steadily rebuild its organisation there over the next five to seven years.
He also reiterated his government’s commitment to fulfilling all 10 poll guarantees in Himachal Pradesh within the remaining 16 months of its tenure. He said financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month had already been extended to women in tribal and backward areas and in the third phase, poor women would also be covered under the scheme along with free electricity benefits.
Targeting the BJP over financial constraints, Sukhu alleged that attempts were made to create hurdles by stopping the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). However, he asserted that his government would implement all promises in a phased manner.
The Chief Minister further criticised the BJP over rising inflation, particularly the steep hike in LPG cylinder prices, saying its political impact would be visible in the upcoming urban local body elections.
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