In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Himachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, that it will boycott Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi in the state Assembly, accusing him of making derogatory and baseless remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. The decision, declared by Thakur, follows a heated confrontation during Assembly proceedings, where Negi allegedly used objectionable language, prompting BJP MLAs to stage a walkout in protest.
The controversy stems from Negi’s comments during a recent session, where he was accused of mocking Thakur, the former chief minister, and even targeting the Prime Minister. BJP legislator Randhir Sharma, speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, condemned Negi’s statements as “irresponsible” and disrespectful, particularly in light of recent disasters in the state. Sharma highlighted a specific remark where Negi reportedly jested that if Thakur, who trekked through his disaster-hit Seraj constituency, had walked 10-15 km daily, he “would have reached the Moon.” The BJP claimed this insulted the sentiments of people affected by recent calamities in Janjheli and Thunag, areas under Thakur’s Seraj constituency.
The backdrop to this clash includes an earlier incident last month, where BJP workers in Janjheli and Thunag protested against Negi during his visit to the disaster-affected regions. Demonstrators allegedly threw shoes and black flags at Negi’s vehicle, which bore the national flag, leading to police booking around 50 individuals. Negi described the act as an insult to the tricolour, alleging that BJP leaders orchestrated the protest to undermine him. “They didn’t throw shoes at me but at the national flag,” Negi told reporters, defending his stance and vowing to continue addressing issues “following the Constitution and truth.”
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Negi, in turn, accused the BJP of stifling democratic traditions, claiming the opposition was attempting to dominate Assembly proceedings and prevent the government from presenting its views. “This is a murder of democracy,” he said, alleging that Thakur and his party were rattled by the government’s efforts to address the crisis. Negi noted that a high-level meeting on relief and rehabilitation, attended by district officials, was boycotted by the opposition MLA, further fueling the rift.
The BJP’s boycott means its MLAs will neither listen to nor engage with Negi’s statements in the Assembly, a move Sharma justified by citing the minister’s failure to address the disaster with seriousness. Instead, Sharma claimed, Negi resorted to press conferences to make inflammatory remarks. The walkout occurred after the Assembly Speaker declined to expunge Negi’s statements despite Sharma raising a point of order.
The ongoing monsoon-related disasters in Himachal Pradesh, which caused significant losses in areas like Janjheli and Thunag, have heightened political sensitivities. The state government, led by the Congress, has been under pressure to expedite relief efforts, while the BJP has criticized its handling of the crisis. As the Assembly session continues, the boycott signals deepening divisions, with both sides digging in their heels over the contentious remarks and the broader issue of disaster management accountability.
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