War of words begins as Jairam Thakur slams Jagat Singh Negi over ‘irresponsible statement’

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Himachal Pradesh after former Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur strongly criticized Cabinet Minister Jagat Singh Negi for what he described as an “irresponsible and misleading statement.” The sharp exchange has triggered a war of words between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP, adding heat to the already charged political climate in the hill state.

The Statement That Sparked the Controversy

The flashpoint came when Jagat Singh Negi, Minister for Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development in the Congress-led state government, allegedly accused the previous BJP government of mismanaging disaster relief funds and failing to deliver adequate rehabilitation support during its tenure.

While addressing a public meeting in Kinnaur district earlier this week, Negi reportedly claimed that the “financial mess created by the previous BJP regime had left the current government struggling to help people affected by last year’s floods and landslides.” His comments implied that Jairam Thakur’s administration had not only misused funds but also failed to prioritize people’s needs during natural disasters.

Jairam Thakur’s Fiery Response

Reacting swiftly, Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur called Negi’s remarks “deeply irresponsible and politically motivated.” Speaking to reporters in Shimla, Thakur said:

“Shri Jagat Singh Negi’s statements are nothing more than a smokescreen to cover up the failures of the Congress government. Instead of accepting responsibility, they are blaming the past government without any evidence. It is unbecoming of a Cabinet Minister to mislead the public like this.”

Thakur added that the BJP government had responded efficiently during natural calamities and had maintained transparency in disbursing funds for relief and rehabilitation. “We worked tirelessly during the 2021 and 2022 disasters, be it in Mandi, Kullu, or Kinnaur. Everything is on record. These baseless allegations show the desperation of the Congress leadership,” he said.

Congress Defends Negi

In response to Thakur’s sharp criticism, senior Congress leaders backed Negi, arguing that his statement was grounded in facts. State Congress spokesperson Surender Rajput said:

“Minister Jagat Singh Negi merely pointed out the financial constraints we are facing due to the mismanagement by the previous BJP regime. Jairam Thakur should answer why thousands of families are still waiting for complete rehabilitation.”

Rajput accused the BJP of politicizing disaster relief and urged Thakur to participate in constructive dialogue instead of launching personal attacks.

Political Implications

The verbal spat comes at a politically sensitive time. With Lok Sabha elections scheduled for next year and bypolls due in a few assembly constituencies, both parties are attempting to sharpen their narratives and mobilize support. Experts believe that disaster management and fund allocation could emerge as key issues in the upcoming campaigns.

Political analyst Dr. Anil Sharma said:

“The Congress is trying to shift the blame to the previous regime as a strategy to justify its own slow pace in post-disaster reconstruction. On the other hand, Jairam Thakur sees this as an opportunity to rebuild BJP’s credibility by aggressively countering such allegations.”

He added that the war of words between Thakur and Negi is likely to escalate in the coming weeks as both parties gear up for a full-blown campaign mode.

Public Sentiment and Ground Reality

On the ground, the public remains divided. While some residents in affected areas like Mandi and Kullu echo the BJP’s claim of swift relief efforts during Thakur’s tenure, others feel that successive governments have failed to bring long-term solutions.

Manoj Sharma, a flood-affected resident from Banjar in Kullu, shared his views:

“Every government promises a lot, but not much happens beyond token announcements. We want roads rebuilt, homes reconstructed, and timely compensation — not political blame games.”

Similarly, Sita Devi from Reckong Peo said, “Both parties should focus on improving infrastructure and early warning systems. The focus should be on action, not allegations.”

BJP Plans Protest

Adding more fuel to the fire, the BJP has announced a series of protests across the state demanding an apology from Jagat Singh Negi. The party has also submitted a memorandum to the Governor, accusing the Congress of attempting to “mislead the public through false propaganda.”

State BJP president Rajeev Bindal said, “The Congress must stop its vendetta politics. We will not tolerate attacks on our leader’s integrity and the hard work of the previous government.”

What’s Next?

As the political temperature rises, it remains to be seen whether the ruling Congress will dial down its rhetoric or double down on its accusations. Jagat Singh Negi has not issued any formal clarification or apology yet, indicating that the Congress might stick to its guns.

Meanwhile, the BJP seems poised to use this controversy as a rallying point to galvanize its cadre and redirect public attention to what it calls the “non-performance” of the present regime.

Conclusion

This latest showdown between Jairam Thakur and Jagat Singh Negi reveals the fragile political equilibrium in Himachal Pradesh, where both major parties are attempting to balance governance with aggressive positioning ahead of the next electoral battle. While the public waits for actual delivery of promises on the ground, the war of words between political heavyweights shows no signs of cooling down.