Latest news with #JairamThakur


Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
War of words begins as Jairam Thakur slams Jagat Singh Negi over ‘irresponsible statement'
Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jairam Thakur on Monday questioned the state Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Minister Jagat Singh Negi for his purported comments towards the recent disaster struck in many areas in district Mandi including Seraj, which is being represented by the LoP. More than two dozens of people have been killed and several missing following cloudburst incidents in Mandi district. Referring to the alleged statement of Negi, in which he said 'when a tragedy struck in my area then I realised the pain of general public', Thakur said, 'there might be some personal differences between me and the minister but being a part of the state government, the Revenue Minister should not made such irresponsible statement. He should visit the disaster affected areas, especially Seraj'. The LoP also urged CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene in this matter. Thakur made these remarks during his interaction with media over certain issues including the transfer of a (executive engineer-) XEN-ranked official at Thunag in Mandi during the ongoing relief works. Thakur was in Mandi since July 1 and came to Shimla on Sunday. Terming the accusations of Thakur 'baseless', Negi accused the former CM of misrepresenting the facts, statements of his opponents in the media. 'Jairam Thakur has some issues with me. His behavior was never appropriate towards me since he was the chief minister and I was in the Opposition. I have been performing my duties being the Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal minister successfully. The entire government is standing like a rock behind the people of Mandi including Seraj in this time of crisis,' the revenue minister said. Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Thakur also accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of 'insensitivity' and 'inaction' in the wake of the recent disaster in Mandi. He claimed that an executive engineer who was doing commendable work on the ground was transferred under pressure from certain political leaders. 'Till date, no senior officer from the state government has been deputed in Mandi,' he alleged. Thakur claimed that the government's indifference stems from the fact that the disaster occurred in his constituency. 'Recently, I received a call from the Panchayati Raj Minister suggesting that the Panchayati Raj Institute be shifted from Mandi. I challenge the government to show a single crack in that institute due to the disaster. Then why shift it?' he asked.


News18
13-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Himachal Pradesh Ex-CM Jairam Thakur Narrowly Escapes Falling Debris In Mandi
Last Updated: Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur narrowly escaped falling debris in Mandi. He urged CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to visit Karsog to assess cloudburst damage. Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur narrowly escapes falling debris in Mandi on Sunday during his visit to Lambathach. In the video, the BJP leader can be seen with other people narrowly escaping the area. He stepped down from his vehicle and swiftly moved to safety. VIDEO | Mandi: Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur narrowly escapes falling debris during his visit to Lambathach.(Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos – — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2025 Earlier, the LoP also urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to personally visit Karsog to assess the destruction caused by the recent cloudburst and flash floods. Thakur emphasised the need for the Chief Minister's visit to shape plans for relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the affected areas. 'Heavy destruction has occurred in Karsog. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu should personally come here to assess the destruction, so that he can shape plans for relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation," he wrote on X. Heavy rains have lashed various areas of the state for the last few weeks. Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur, raising concerns over potential landslides and road blockages. Heavy rains have also triggered landslides in different parts of the states. So far, since the onset of monsoon on June 20 till July 11, Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of Rs 751 crore. During monsoon, the state witnessed 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 17 landslides, along with heavy rains. Over 90 people have died, of whom 56 died in rain-related incidents in the state. view comments First Published: July 13, 2025, 16:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


NDTV
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Minister's Jhansi Ki Rani Jibe At Kangana Ranaut Over Mandi Rain Disaster
New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh is badly hit by heavy rain and flash floods, killing 78 people and damaging property worth Rs 400 crore, and the Mandi district - the Parliamentary constituency of BJP's Kangana Ranaut - was the worst hit over 15 deaths, and Ms Ranaut's delayed response to the tragedy turned into a political row, which even saw her party colleague, Jairam Thakur, expressing displeasure. The weather situation has relatively improved in Himachal, but the political row continues. Today, state cabinet minister Jagat Singh Negi hit out at Ms Ranaut and said, "Playing Jhansi ki Rani on screen is one thing, but being like her in real life is different." The BJP MP played Rani Laxmibai in the film 'Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi'. "I don't want to talk about her mindset, she says we got independence after was sent to the parliament, but she didn't raise questions on the inadequacy of the relief material," Mr Negi said in Hindi during a press conference, adding that, "Whenever a house gets washed away, the Centre gives only Rs 1.5 lakh is stopping her from raising a demand in the Parliament to increase the compensation in the relief manual?" Ms Ranaut has not responded to Mr Negi's remarks. 'Do Not Have Any Official Cabinet' The BJP MP is facing criticism over remarks during her visit to Mandi on July 6. While addressing the relief efforts in her constituency, she jokingly said that she does not have any official Cabinet to provide disaster relief. "Whether it's disaster relief or the disaster itself - I don't have any official cabinet. I have my two brothers who are always with me. That's my cabinet. So, it's just these two. I do not have any funds for disaster relief or hold any Cabinet post. MPs have work that is limited to Parliament. We are very small in the scheme of things," the BJP MP said as she laughed. However, she also assured people of getting help from the Centre for disaster relief funds. Congress termed the remarks "insensitive and asked her to "show some sensitivity" toward the people who are "distressed". Earlier, she was criticised for her delayed response to the disaster, and the row escalated after Jairam Thakur reacted to her absence and said, "I do not know, and I do not wish to comment on it. We are here to live and die for those who care; I do not wish to comment on those who do not care." A day after the backlash, Ms Ranaut had issued a statement on the disaster and mentioned that Jairam Thakur advised her to wait till the connectivity and reach to the affected areas are restored. Rain Fury In Himachal At least 78 people died in Himachal Pradesh since the onset of monsoon on June 20, out of which 50 people died in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 28 deaths were reported in road accidents, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said. The state reported 23 incidents of flash floods, followed by 19 cloud burst incidents and 16 landslides so far. The flash floods have sent 280 roads, including 156 in Mandi, out of bounds for traffic. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the estimated losses due to the rains so far stand at around Rs 572 crore, though the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said the figure was close to Rs 700 crore as data was still being compiled. The Chief Minister also announced a series of relief measures, including Rs 5,000 per month as rental assistance for families displaced by the calamity, and said that the cloudburst incidents are being studied.


Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'He advised me to wait': Kangana's clarification on absence from flood-hit Mandi after Jairam Thakur's 'those not concerned' jibe
Kangana Ranaut and Jairam Thakur (File photo) NEW DELHI: The BJP vs BJP tussle in flood-ravaged Himachal Pradesh took an interesting twist on Friday as Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut claimed "she tried reaching her constituency but was adivsed by leader of opposition Jairam Thakur to wait until the connectivity and reach to the affected areas were restored." Interestingly, on Thursday, when Jairam Thakur was asked about Ranaut's absence from Mandi in this hour of crisis, his curt reply was: "don't want to comment on those who do not have concern. " With his Seraj assembly constituency facing the brunt of nature's fury, Jairam Thakur, who is the leader of opposition in Himachal assembly, has been active on the ground meeting the affected people. However, Kangana Ranaut, who represents Mandi in Lok Sabha, has been missing in action. When Jairam Thakur was asked about the absence of Kangana Ranaut, he said: "I don't want to comment on this issue. We are with the affected people, because we are concerned. I don't want to comment on those who are not concerned." However, Kangana today gave an interesting twist to the debate. In a post on social media X, Ranaut shared that she was advised by Jairam Thakur to halt her visits to the flood-affected areas. "It is heartbreaking to see massive flood devastation in Himachal almost every year now. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I tried reaching flood-affected areas in Seraj and other areas in Mandi, but advised by respected leader of opposition Shri @jairamthakurbjp ji to wait until the connectivity and reach to the affected areas are restored. Red alert is issued by Mandi DC today as well. Awaiting authorities' approval on the same, will be there soonest possible. Thanks," the post read. Chief minister Sukhu was quick to take dig at the open differences between the two top BJP leaders. Commenting on Kangana Ranaut's social media post that tagged BJP leader Jairam Thakur, Sukhu said that she should immediately speak to Jai Ram Thakur ji. "I would suggest she speak with Jairam ji directly. Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri has already spoken to the DC concerned," he said. The overall destruction in the state has been massive. Chief minister Sukhu on Friday announced a series of relief measures. Addressing the media in Shimla after a high-level review meeting with the deputy speaker and other ministers, he said, "We reviewed the entire situation in the state caused by the current natural disaster. After evaluating the situation, we have decided that families who are staying in relief shelters and find rental accommodation in their villages will be given Rs 5,000 per month by the Himachal Pradesh government. " He added that the government would also ensure food and ration supply to all such affected families.


NDTV
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Kangana Ranaut's Late Post On Flash Flood-Hit Himachal Sparks Political Row
New Delhi: A much-delayed statement by Kangana Ranaut on her parliamentary constituency, flash flood-hit Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, and her party colleague's alleged displeasure over it has given the ruling Congress fodder for criticism. "I do not wish to comment on those who do not care," was the response of BJP leader and leader of opposition in state assembly Jairam Thakur when he was asked during a press briefing why Ms Ranaut hadn't commented on the situation in her parliamentary constituency, Mandi, said, "I do not wish to comment on those who do not care". "I do not know, and I do not wish to comment on it. We are here to live and die for those who care. I do not wish to comment on those who do not care," the former chief minister of Himachal Pradesh said yesterday. The actor-politician took the cue and posted a clarification on her X handle today, claiming she was advised by Mr Thakur himself not to visit the region "until the connectivity to the affected areas is restored". "It is heartbreaking to see massive flood devastation in Himachal almost every year now. I tried reaching to flood-affected areas in Seraj and other areas in Mandi, but was advised by the respected leader of opposition Shri @jairamthakurbjp ji, to wait until the connectivity and reach to the affected areas are restored," she wrote on X. "Will be there soonest possible," she assured. It is heartbreaking to see massive flood devastation in Himachal almost every year now, I tried reaching to flood affected areas in Seraj and other areas in Mandi, but advised by respected leader of opposition Shri @jairamthakurbjp ji to wait untill the connectivity and reach to… — Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) July 4, 2025 The Congress latched on to Mr Thakur's comments and wrote on X, "'MP Kangana Ranaut is not concerned about the people of Mandi' - we are not saying this, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said this". 'सांसद कंगना रनौत को मंडी के लोगों की चिंता नहीं है' - ये बात हम नहीं, हिमाचल प्रदेश के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और BJP नेता जयराम ठाकुर कह रहे हैं। दरअसल, हिमाचल प्रदेश के मंडी में बादल फटने से लोग भीषण त्रासदी से जूझ रहे हैं, लेकिन मंडी की सांसद कंगना रनौत गायब हैं। — Congress (@INCIndia) July 3, 2025 At least 37 people have died and Rs 400 crore worth of property was damaged as torrential rains disrupted life, since the arrival of monsoon in Himachal Pradesh two weeks ago, according to the state Disaster Management Authority. Mandi district, severely impacted by cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides, saw the most number of deaths (17). Several people have died while a search is underway for several missing in the cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi. The flash floods have sent 280 roads, including 156 in Mandi, out of bounds for traffic. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today announced a series of relief measures, including Rs 5,000 per month as rental assistance for families displaced by the calamity, and said that the cloudburst incidents are being studied. "In the last 14 to 15 days, we have seen around 14 cloudbursts. We are currently studying why such frequent cloudbursts are happening," he told reporters. Reacting to Ms Ranaut's social media post, Mr Sukhu said, "She should immediately speak to Jairam Thakur ji." He also reacted to Mr Thakur's press briefing and said that instead of addressing the media, he should help affected people. "Instead of addressing the press in Mandi, he should have gone to Siraj, to the people. That's the duty of a public representative. We are not doing politics. I can show you the call record of my conversation with Jairam ji. Our job is to deliver relief to the people. It is sad that the former Chief Minister is making misleading statements", said Mr Sukhu. Monsoon hit the state on June 20 and since then has cost the state Rs 5,000 crore in damages, as per officials. Several houses have been damaged and vehicles washed away in the cloudbursts. Five relief camps have been set up to house the 402 people rescued, 348 of them from Mandi alone.