Election campaigning has intensified in Himachal Pradesh for the seventh and final phase of voting on June 1. Both the BJP and Congress have deployed their top leaders for the campaign. Besides the four Lok Sabha seats, votes will also be cast for by-elections in six assembly seats. Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed two election rallies in the state today, while Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge held a rally in Rohru under the Shimla parliamentary constituency.
Amit Shah addressed an election rally in Amb, Una under the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, appealing for votes in favour of party candidate Anurag Singh Thakur. Shah stated that under Modi’s government, corruption and terrorism have been eradicated, and India’s global standing has improved. He highlighted key achievements of the Modi government, including the implementation of One Rank One Pension, the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the abolition of triple talaq, the Ayushman Bharat scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. Later, Amit Shah addressed another election rally in Dharamshala under the Kangra parliamentary constituency in support of party candidate Rajiv Bhardwaj.
Later, in a press conference in Dharamshala, Shah accused the Congress party of misleading people regarding the Agniveer scheme. Shah clarified that 25% of recruited Agniveers will get permanent positions in the army, while the rest will receive 10-20% reservation in police recruitment in BJP-ruled states. Additionally, the central government has provided a 10% reservation for Agniveers in paramilitary forces, along with various age and exam relaxations. Shah also mentioned that security agencies and companies have prioritized Agniveers, and they will receive gratuity and other government benefits.
Meanwhile, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed an election rally in Rohru under the Shimla parliamentary constituency. Kharge claimed that the people of the country desire change and that the next government will be formed by the INDIA grouping. He accused the BJP of failing to fulfill any of the promises made to the public over the past 10 years and of undermining democracy by toppling governments across the country, with a failed attempt in Himachal as well. Kharge stated that the Congress party has given five guarantees for women, youth, and the poor in this Lok Sabha election, which will be fulfilled at all costs. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address two election rallies in the state tomorrow, May 26.
