BJP stages demonstration against Congress government in Himachal

BJP stages 'Halla Bol' rally in Shimla against Congress government's alleged 'mafia raj' in Himachal Pradesh.

Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leaders and workers on Thursday (March 27, 2025) staged a demonstration through ‘Halla Bol’ rally in Shimla against the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh over what they alleged as the prevalence of a “mafia raj” in the State. The Congress termed the rally, held during the ongoing budget session of the State Assembly, as a futile attempt to divert attention from issues of public importance.

Scores of BJP workers, led by the State’s party leaders, including former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur and State party president Rajeev Bindal, assembled at Chaura Maidan area near the State Assembly and raised slogans against the State government. Mr. Thakur said the demonstration is against the failed policies of the Congress government.

He said that corrupt elements are getting patronage under the incumbent government, and ‘mafia raj’ was flourishing in the State, be it surrounding land, forest, liquor or drugs.

Reacting to the BJP’s rally, Naresh Chauhan, the chief advisor (media) to the Chief Minister, said it exemplified the party’s inclination towards chaos, disruption, and anarchy.

“The Assembly session provides elected representatives ample time and a legitimate platform for serious deliberations on matters of public interest. However, instead of actively participating in legislative proceedings, the Opposition chose to boycott the session and created an atmosphere of unrest and utter chaos outside the Assembly by levelling baseless allegations against the functioning of the State government,” he said in a statement.

Taking a jibe at the opposition, he said that the “mafia raj” the BJP is talking about actually flourished unabated during its (BJP) tenure. “Since the Congress government took office, mafias have been pushed to the margins and are now fleeing due to stringent legal actions,” he added.