Shimla, November 1, 2026:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp political attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Congress-led government of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s massive ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ Padyatra in Shimla on Sunday.
Sarma declared that the Congress government’s days in Himachal Pradesh were numbered and expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government with a decisive majority in the 2027 Assembly elections.
“The overwhelming public support visible in Shimla today clearly indicates that by this time next year, Himachal Pradesh will have a BJP Chief Minister,” he asserted.
Paying tribute to the sacred land of Himachal Pradesh, Sarma said he had travelled from Assam, the land of Maa Kamakhya, to the Devbhoomi of gods, goddesses and brave soldiers.
He called upon BJP workers to begin preparations immediately for political change in the state.
Sukhu Won Through EVMs, So Why Is He Protesting Against Them?
Taking direct aim at Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Sarma questioned why Congress leaders were protesting against Electronic Voting Machines when the same electoral system had brought their government to power in Himachal Pradesh.
“If Congress does not trust EVMs, Chief Minister Sukhu must explain why he continues to occupy the Chief Minister’s chair on the basis of a mandate obtained through those very machines,” Sarma said.
He alleged that Congress accepts EVMs when it wins elections in Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh but questions the Election Commission and electoral process whenever the BJP emerges victorious.
Challenging Rahul Gandhi, Sarma said that if the Congress leader genuinely believed the electoral system was compromised, he should also clarify his position regarding his victory from Rae Bareli and his position as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
“Congress cannot declare an election fair when Rahul Gandhi wins and fraudulent when Narendra Modi wins. This double standard will no longer be accepted by the people of India,” he said.
Sarma further questioned the participation of the Himachal Chief Minister in protests against the electoral system and argued that Congress leaders should demonstrate consistency between their political allegations and their own electoral mandates.
Congress Opposing SIR to Protect Ineligible Voters: Sarma
The Assam Chief Minister strongly defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, stating that maintaining accurate voter lists was essential for protecting the integrity of Indian democracy.
He accused Congress of spreading confusion about the revision exercise and alleged that its opposition was politically motivated.
Sarma said that every eligible Indian citizen must retain the right to vote, while ineligible entries should be identified and addressed strictly in accordance with the law.
He questioned why Congress leaders were portraying the electoral process as questionable when their own names remained on the voter lists.
He also accused Congress of invoking political developments in Bangladesh and Nepal to create an atmosphere of instability in India.
“India is not Bangladesh. India is a democracy where governments change through the votes of the people, not through political intimidation or street-level anarchy,” Sarma declared.
He said Congress should respect constitutional institutions and accept the people’s mandate instead of repeatedly questioning the democratic process.
Rahul Gandhi Must Apologise for the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
Referring to the significance of November 1, Sarma raised the issue of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots following the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
He recalled the killing of thousands of Sikhs in Delhi and other parts of the country and questioned the Congress leadership’s historical accountability.
Sarma demanded that Rahul Gandhi publicly apologise for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots before addressing political gatherings in Delhi on November 1.
“Before speaking about saving democracy, Congress must answer the painful questions arising from the 1984 anti-Sikh riots,” he said.
He maintained that political parties claiming to defend constitutional values must also acknowledge and address difficult chapters of their own history.
Assam Delivered 1.07 Lakh Jobs; Where Are Himachal’s Five Lakh Jobs?
Comparing the performance of the BJP government in Assam with the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, Sarma said that his government had promised one lakh government jobs and, according to him, had provided employment to approximately 1.07 lakh young people.
He contrasted this with Congress’s election promise of providing five lakh jobs in Himachal Pradesh.
“In Assam, we promised one lakh jobs and delivered more than 1.07 lakh. Congress promised five lakh jobs in Himachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Sukhu must tell the people how many young people have actually received employment,” Sarma said.
He accused the Congress government of betraying the expectations of unemployed youth and failing to deliver on its major election commitments.
Sarma also highlighted his government’s financial assistance programme for women in Assam, stating that approximately seven lakh women were receiving ₹1,250 per month.
He questioned the implementation of Congress’s promise to provide ₹1,500 per month to women in Himachal Pradesh.
“Congress sought votes in the name of women and unemployed youth. Now the people have every right to demand an account of those promises,” he said.
Congress Losing Even in Ballot Paper Elections, Yet Crying Vote Theft
The Assam Chief Minister said that Congress’s allegations against EVMs were politically inconsistent because the party had also suffered electoral setbacks in elections conducted through ballot papers.
Referring to Zila Parishad elections in Himachal Pradesh and Legislative Council elections in different states, Sarma claimed that the BJP had secured important victories in ballot-paper elections as well.
He said that Congress should examine its organisational weaknesses and unfulfilled promises rather than blaming the voting system for electoral defeats.
“Congress loses through EVMs and also faces defeat through ballot papers. Instead of blaming the system, Rahul Gandhi should examine why people are rejecting his party,” Sarma said.
He asserted that the BJP’s electoral strength came from public confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, governance and development policies.
Sarma Raises Ram Mandir and Sardar Patel Issues
During his address, Sarma also referred to the construction of the Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, describing it as a historic achievement and a symbol of India’s cultural heritage.
He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and questioned Congress’s political approach towards the Ram Mandir movement.
Sarma also raised historical questions concerning Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during the selection of India’s first Prime Minister.
He accused Congress of failing to accord adequate recognition to Patel’s contribution and praised Prime Minister Modi for honouring him through the construction of the Statue of Unity.
He said that Congress should reflect on its own political history before accusing others of undermining democratic principles.
BJP Will Give Congress a Decisive Defeat in 2027
Sarma described Himachal Pradesh as the sacred land of gods, goddesses and brave soldiers and said its people were capable of distinguishing between political promises and actual performance.
He claimed that public dissatisfaction with the Congress government’s alleged failure to fulfil its guarantees, unemployment concerns and governance issues was creating a strong desire for political change.
He urged BJP workers to visit every household, highlight the Congress government’s unfulfilled promises and strengthen public engagement ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
“The people of Himachal Pradesh must prepare to give Congress a decisive democratic answer in 2027. The BJP will return with a strong mandate and establish a government committed to good governance, development and public accountability,” Sarma said.
Massive Padyatra from Gurdwara Sahib to Chaura Maidan
The BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ Padyatra commenced from Gurdwara Sahib Parking near the Old Local Bus Stand in Shimla.
The procession proceeded through Victory Tunnel and the Vidhan Sabha road, culminating at Chaura Maidan (Chhota Maidan), where a large public rally was addressed by senior BJP leaders.
The Padyatra was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, BJP Himachal Pradesh President Dr. Rajeev Bindal, former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Singh Thakur, Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sikander Kumar, State Organisation General Secretary Siddharthan, senior party leaders, office-bearers and a large number of BJP workers.
The gathering witnessed enthusiastic slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
