Finally, Congress party blew the conch for assembly elections-2017 in the ‘Sankalp Rally’ from the historical Kansa Chowk in Balh assembly constituency, where thousands of people particularly from surrounding four constituencies viz: Sundernagar, Sadar Mandi, Nachan and Sarkaghat gathered in numbers to listen to Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh. A warm welcome was accorded to the Chief Minister, who was driven in a decorated chariot from Dadour Chowk to the venue of the rally with thousand of congress supporters sloganeering for mission repeat.Chief Minister while addressing the huge rally, said that the claims of NITI Aayog to build strong centre-states relations have failed, as the states were left in lurch and not taken into confidence before the formation of Aayog. He said that states should have been consulted and the draft of the Aayog would have been prepared according to the financial needs and topography of the states.He said that NITI Aayog had completely failed in its planning and the states were not invited for any of the meetings, except few. He said that scrapping the Planning Commission overnight was not a pragmatic decision and it has halted the progress of the states to much extent.During the times of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was a leader of repute and a great litterateur, the Planning Commission had been functioning in an efficient manner and the economists involved therein knew about the financial needs of the states but a totally opposite scenario has emerged today.
Chief Minister said that Shri Vajpayee, who was his good friend, never differentiated between states in terms of allocation of funds and was a Nationalist leader, who sidelined political affiliations when it comes to development of particular region. He also briefed about the journey of development of India since independence and said that Land reform Act was constituted to make Mujaras (occupancy tenants), the owners of the landholdings. He said that the country witnessed industrial revolution, green revolution and progressed without looking back till date. He said that Himachal was no less different after its formation and at present there was more than 37000 kilometres road length in the State compared to 283 kilometers in 1948. Today every house has been provided with electricity. He said that Health institutions were opened in remote corners, the state has more than 15500 schools and 119 colleges. This all happened because of rapid progress and the per capita income of Himachal Pradesh was Rs. 1,30,067 as of now.He said that Himachal Pradesh has progressed in every sphere, may it be education, Health, Roads etc.
Three medical colleges were coming up including that of ESIC at Nerchowk. In education sector, as many as 1329 new schools have been opened or upgraded and 45 new degree colleges have been opened in rural and far flung areas of the State during the last four years, which have benefitted the girl child the most, particularly in far flung areas. “Though I faced lots of opposition from BJP for opening educational institutions, but the BJP failed to understand that education paves the way for development and disciplined society”, he remarked.He cautioned to be aware of those forces who creates rift amongst the people on basis of region and religion, though the people of the State were wise enough to understand the tactics of those who divide people for their own selfish motive. “We should stay united at all cost and then only, we can be proud of ourselves, he said adding that we should not allow the divisive policies on religious and regional basis to hinder the growth and development of the Nation”. The BJP leaders becomes more impatient when elections approaches and they start issuing irrelevant statements, try misguide the people and adopt to all sort of tactics.
The Congress believes in secularism and do not differentiate between region and religion. “It is my moral duty to serve the people irrespective of the political affiliations of the people. I have vowed to serve the people of the State till my last breath”, he said, adding that development was a continuous process. For me Himachal is one and will remain ever so and we together can make Himachal a model of development, he said. Appreciating the attendance, the Chief Minister said that Kansa Ground was historic for the reason that whenever he addressed a rally here he always witnessed mammoth gathering and it seems that the ground now has to be expanded. The Chief Minister admitted to accept the demands raised by the Excise and Taxation Minister and assured that these will be incorporated in the budget 2017-18.Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes also addressed the gathering. She said that the Chief Minister was concerned the demands of the people, particularly weaker section of society and the people of Himachal will always remain indebted to him. He said that 52 percent of the budget was spent on social welfare. She exhorted the people to be aware of false promises of BJP. She also listed development of IPH department throughout the state.
Excise and Taxation Minister Shri Prakash Chaudhary welcomed the Chief Minister to his home segment and honoured him and the other distinguished guests.In his address, the Minister said that the name of Shri Virbhadra Singh would ever be remembered for the massive development of the State and for ensuring welfare of weaker sections of the society. He said that during the rally of Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi at Mandi last year, the Prime Minister said that there were only two BJP Chief Ministers, one known for bringing water to the state and other for development. But Balh valley remained bereft of all facilities during these two BJP Chief Ministers. Actually, Shri Virbhadra Singh was the only ‘Vikas Purush’. He said that now as the elections were nearing, the BJP boasts of false development and have no real issues against the Congress. He advised the BJP to stop day-dreaming of power and said that the people already knew their propaganda.
The Minister demanded PWD and electricity division to be opened at Balh and Nerchowk respectively, Tehsil Welfare Office, Sub Treasury at Balh, Sub Employment Exchange, Vet Dispensary at Sardhwarchowki Chandrahan, besides other few demands.State Youth Congress President Shri Vikramaditya Singh said that the last four years of the present government regime were seen as years of unprecedented development and welfare schemes for all sections of society. He said that the Sankalp Rally was the beginning of mass movement of the Congress for mission repeat. He said that the language being used by former Chief Minister Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal about the congress does not suit his stature. He said that Shri Dhumal was all aware that it was difficult for the BJP to win assembly election in 2017. He blamed the former Chief Minister of conniving with few government officers to halt the progress of development works, adding that his conspiracies weren't going to last long as the people also know that it was the congress, which can ensure the development and welfare of the people of the State.HPCC, Vice President Shri Puran Chand Thakur, DCC, President, Shri Deepak Sharma, President BCC, Balh, Shri Ajay Thakur, Former, NSUI President, Rimple Chaudhary, local Congressmen, Chairman, SC/ST Corporation, Shri Tek Chand Dogra, Suman Chaudhary, Shri Keshav Narain, Kuldeep Thakur, Shri Om Prakash Saina, Mohini Rana, Shri Tarun Pathak, Shri Rajinder Mohan, Shri Sanju Dogra, and representatives from various Panchayats, including Yuvak and Mahila Mandals were also present on the occasion amongst others.