In a significant setback for the BJP, senior leader Brij Lal from Rampur Assembly constituency in Shimla district joined the Congress party today along with more than 300 supporters. After joining the party, they paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the State Secretariat.
The Chief Minister welcomed Brij Lal and his supporters into the Congress party. He said that the party would ensure due respect and recognition for everyone. He added that the state government is working with dedication for the welfare of all sections of society and is committed to ensuring balanced development across the state.
He noted that Rampur is the home constituency of the late former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and assured that no shortage of development would be allowed there. Brij Lal submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister highlighting the issues faced by the region.
The Chief Minister assured him that these demands would be considered sympathetically. Brij Lal said that he decided to join the Congress party because he was impressed by the functioning of the present Congress government and the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
He further said that former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar had described the BJP as a 'party of leaders,' whereas it was once known as a "party of workers." Shanta Kumar's observation is completely accurate today, as five senior BJP leaders are currently engaged in an internal struggle to secure the Chief Minister's chair.
He also claimed that the people of Himachal Pradesh stand firmly with Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Congress party and expressed confidence that the Congress would retain power in the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh was also present on the occasion.