Attempt to Hijack Panchayati Raj Polls, Misuse of Local Funds—Congress Govt Held Democracy Hostage
BJP Himachal Pradesh President Dr. Rajeev Bindal, while addressing a press conference, launched a sharp attack on the Congress party and the state government, stating that the developments in Parliament over the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam have completely exposed Congress’s anti-women mindset. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had convened a special session of Parliament with the historic objective of ensuring women’s participation in governance, but Congress and its allies collectively crushed this transformative opportunity.
Dr. Bindal said that over the past decade, the Modi government has taken several concrete steps towards women’s empowerment—economically, socially and educationally—and the time had now come to extend that empowerment into decision-making roles. He remarked that this was the moment to hand over the key of governance to 50 percent of the population, but instead Congress “stabbed 700 million women in the back.” He further accused Congress of delaying women’s reservation for over four decades and then opposing it when the opportunity for implementation finally arrived. According to him, celebrating the fall of the Bill and distributing sweets clearly reflects the anti-women character of the party.
Targeting Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Bindal said they are deliberately avoiding a clear stand on the issue and resorting to evasive statements. He asserted that this amounts to open support for denying women their rightful participation and warned that the women of Himachal will respond strongly. Announcing a “Jan Aakrosh Padyatra” to be held in Shimla on April 23, he said thousands of women will come out on the streets against Congress. He emphasized that this is not merely a protest but a decisive movement for women’s dignity, rights and rightful representation.
Speaking on another important issue, Dr. Bindal accused the Himachal Pradesh government of attempting to delay and manipulate Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. He alleged that the Congress government tried every possible tactic to avoid elections and undermine constitutional processes. He pointed out that the Election Commission had to submit a 35-page report to the Governor highlighting the lack of cooperation from the state government, which, he said, was an attempt to hold democracy hostage and was ultimately corrected through judicial intervention.
Dr. Bindal further alleged that funds allocated to Panchayats and urban local bodies under the Finance Commission were forcibly diverted by the state government. He said that money meant for grassroots development was taken away, bringing development works to a standstill, and added that there is still no clarity on how and where these funds were spent. According to him, this move not only stalled development but also undermined the authority of elected local representatives, calling it not just an administrative failure but a direct assault on democratic institutions.
Welcoming the announcement of urban local body elections, Dr. Bindal termed it a victory of democracy and judicial accountability, and a setback for what he described as the Congress government’s negative politics. He expressed confidence that Panchayati Raj elections will also be announced soon and that the people of Himachal Pradesh will give a decisive response.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Bindal said that while the Modi government is committed to empowering women and strengthening democracy, Congress is engaged in denying rights and attempting to hijack democratic processes, and added that the people will ultimately deliver their verdict.
