BJP and Congress Clash Over Unemployment in Himachal Assembly

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly experienced severe disruption on Monday during its Monsoon Session as the ruling Congress party and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged simultaneous protests. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his administration faced accusations from the BJP regarding organized corruption and a failure to address unemployment, healthcare, and law and order. In response, Congress MLAs and ministers protested outside the assembly to demonstrate against inflation.

During a heated debate on government vacancies, BJP MLA Jeet Ram Katwal alleged that 37 percent of posts across 13 major departments remain vacant. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur claimed the state's administrative system has "collapsed completely," leading the opposition to walk out of the House after accusing the Chief Minister of avoiding answers regarding 2022 election promises. Chief Minister Sukhu defended his record by citing the Rajiv Gandhi Startup Scheme and promising that vacant posts would be filled under a new policy for outsourced employees.

Parallel to the legislative clash, the BJP filed a written complaint with Shimla police seeking an FIR against Congress leader Pawan Khera. The complaint alleges that Khera made indecent remarks about Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which Jai Ram Thakur described as inappropriate language directed at a constitutional office.