Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on November 2 took a swipe at Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that the BJP had brought him to Himachal Pradesh to manage divisions within its state unit.
Sukhu alleged that the BJP was struggling with five different factions and that Sarma had been brought in to bring them together.
“That is why they brought in the Assam Chief Minister,” Sukhu remarked, referring to Sarma’s involvement in the BJP’s political activities in Himachal Pradesh.
He also referred to Sarma’s reported remark that he would attend the next swearing-in ceremony in the hill state. Responding to it, Sukhu said the Assam Chief Minister would also receive an invitation if the Congress returned to power.
“When the Congress party forms the government again, we will invite all the Chief Ministers from every state. A formal invitation will be sent to each of them. So, we will definitely extend an invitation to the Chief Minister of Assam as well,” Sukhu said.
Sukhu Defends INDIA Bloc Rally
Commenting on the INDIA bloc’s rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Sukhu defended the opposition’s right to organise protests and public movements.
He said raising people’s concerns through rallies and demonstrations was an essential part of a democratic system.
“The role of the opposition is to raise the voice of the people — whether through rallies or movements; that is the hallmark of a democracy,” he said.
Sukhu claimed that the rally witnessed a significant turnout, with participants also arriving from Himachal Pradesh. He credited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with bringing attention to concerns surrounding the SIR exercise.
Raises Questions Over EVMs and SIR
On the continuing debate over electronic voting machines (EVMs), Sukhu said questions had been raised since 2024. He also argued that the timeline of the opposition to the SIR exercise should be viewed in the context of previous elections.
Pointing out that Himachal Pradesh held its Assembly elections in 2022, he sought to distinguish the state’s electoral experience from the recent controversy surrounding electoral roll revisions.