Daijiworld Media Network - Shimla

Shimla, Oct 13: In a charged address at Shimla’s historic Ridge on Monday, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi accused the BJP-led Central government of discriminating against Himachal Pradesh for being a Congress-ruled state. Speaking after the unveiling of a statue of six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh by her mother and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka criticised the Centre for offering no assistance to the state after devastating monsoon calamities displaced hundreds of families.

Praising chief minister Sukhvinder Sukhu for personally standing by affected citizens, she said the Centre prioritises elections over people’s pain. She contrasted the Congress’s legacy of public service with what she described as the current government's obsession with social media posturing. “Virbhadra Singh guided Himachal just as Mahatma Gandhi guided the nation,” she said, describing him as a rare leader committed to truth and public welfare.

Priyanka spoke emotionally about her personal connection to Himachal Pradesh, referencing her home in Shimla and her family’s longstanding bond with the state, from Indira Gandhi to the present generation. She reaffirmed the Congress party’s ideological roots in service, and credited her brother Rahul Gandhi for speaking truth to power.

Chief minister Sukhu, welcoming Sonia and Priyanka, recalled working for three decades alongside Virbhadra Singh and credited the Gandhi family for developmental milestones like IIT Mandi and IIM Sirmaur. He also said Priyanka’s residence in the state has boosted tourism and visibility for Himachal.

State Congress president Pratibha Singh called the occasion both emotional and celebratory, praising Sukhu for following in Virbhadra Singh’s footsteps with a simple, people-first approach. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri echoed this sentiment, calling Singh the architect of modern Himachal and recalling his tireless focus on education, women’s empowerment, and governance that put people first.

The event, held in honour of a towering political figure, became a platform for the Congress to position itself as the true custodian of Himachal’s interests—while accusing the Centre of turning its back on the state in its hour of need.