BJP MP Suresh Kashyap Targets Congress Over HimCare Scheme and Vande Mataram Row

BJP MP Suresh Kashyap on Thursday launched a strong attack on the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government, criticising the party over the HimCare health scheme, the Vande Mataram controversy and its allegations regarding Central assistance to the state. Speaking at the 78th foundation day celebrations of the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla, Kashyap congratulated the institute's scientists and staff for their contribution to potato research and agricultural development. He said CPRI had played an important role in helping India become one of the world's major potato-producing countries through research, improved varieties, quality planting material and modern farming technologies. He urged scientists to continue working on disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties to improve farmers' productivity.

Kashyap also praised the Narendra Modi government for increasing agricultural support and research funding. He referred to initiatives such as PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, improved market connectivity and Kisan Rail as examples of measures aimed at helping farmers and strengthening the agriculture and horticulture sectors.

On the HimCare health insurance scheme, Kashyap said allegations of irregularities should be investigated and anyone found guilty should face appropriate action. However, he strongly opposed discontinuing the scheme, arguing that administrative or implementation-related problems could be corrected without depriving beneficiaries of healthcare support. He described HimCare as an important source of assistance for poor and needy families and urged the state government to address the reported shortcomings and ensure that eligible beneficiaries continue receiving the scheme's benefits.

Kashyap also criticised the Congress over its decision to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram at a recent Congress Working Committee meeting in Delhi. Calling the decision unfortunate, he alleged that the Congress had failed to show proper respect for the national song. He also referred to the party's Independence Day celebrations and made allegations regarding Sonia Gandhi's role during the rendition of Vande Mataram.

The BJP MP further targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that some of his statements made outside India had affected the country's image. Kashyap said the BJP regarded Vande Mataram, the Tricolour and Bharat Mata as symbols closely associated with India's honour, pride and national identity. Responding to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's criticism of the Centre's disaster-relief assistance to Himachal Pradesh, Kashyap defended the Union government, saying the state had continued to receive Central support. He pointed to the 90:10 funding pattern applicable to Himachal Pradesh as a special-category state and said the Centre had provided assistance during disasters as well as through various development schemes.

On the Revenue Deficit Grant, Kashyap said it was intended as a temporary arrangement and argued that Himachal Pradesh should now work towards greater financial self-reliance. He urged the state government to focus on controlling debt and unnecessary expenditure while pursuing its stated goal of making Himachal self-reliant by 2027. Kashyap also criticised the proposed reduction in the officers' cadre, saying the government should look for other areas where expenditure could be reduced instead of weakening the administrative structure. Referring to what he called a "fauj of friends", he argued that unnecessary spending should be addressed more effectively.

The BJP MP also responded to Sukhu's claim that the BJP was divided into several factions and that Congress would return to power in the next Assembly elections. Kashyap pointed to the recent Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections, claiming that the results demonstrated strong public support for the BJP. He said BJP-backed candidates had secured key positions in district councils and performed strongly across local bodies. Describing the local body elections as a "semi-final", Kashyap claimed that the BJP had already received a favourable response from voters and predicted that the party would form the next government in Himachal Pradesh with a comfortable majority after the 2027 Assembly elections.

He also rejected the Chief Minister's criticism that BJP MPs were mainly active on social media and were failing to raise Himachal's concerns before the Centre. Kashyap said BJP MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha understood their responsibilities and did not need a certificate or instructions from the Chief Minister.

According to Kashyap, BJP MPs would continue raising issues related to Himachal Pradesh with the Union government. He said Union ministers had regularly visited the state and provided assistance, while BJP MPs had received a positive response whenever they brought the state's concerns before the Centre. Kashyap accused the Congress government of failing to properly acknowledge Central assistance after receiving funds and said the state administration should instead concentrate on its economic condition, development and employment situation.

With the Congress government having completed more than three-and-a-half years in office, Kashyap argued that its focus should now be on improving governance and the state's finances rather than commenting on the activities of BJP MPs. He maintained that the BJP would continue to raise Himachal Pradesh's issues at the Centre and remain focused on strengthening its position ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.