Congress searching for a path of development amid political instability and financial stress Three years celebrations at Mandi signals direct challenge to LoP

Onfined today to just a handful of states, the Congress government in Himachal completes three years on December 11.

- DR. RACHNA GUPTA ASSOCIATE EDITOR

But these three years have been far from easy.The Chief Minister’s mission of “system change” has had to pass through many storms — severe financial constraints, internal rebellion, natural disasters, and a major political crisis.

According to the CM, “system change” was necessary because the bureaucracy had developed a habit of not working and breaking that culture was essential. But simultaneously, navigating through political upheavals became a true test of leadership. Add to it the calamities that struck the state. The combined effect of new development ambitions, internal party dissent, and a series of by-elections significantly influenced the functioning of the Congress government. Above all, the discontent within his own party remained the biggest thorn in CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s side.

Interestingly, for the three-year celebration, the Congress chose Mandi — a district where the party’s presence is minimal. Mandi is the largest district and the biggest parliamentary constituency. Holding the rally here is a direct challenge to Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, who spent the entire disaster period living in the villages among his people, He has a strong base in Mandi, and facing him directly is Cabinet Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who has emerged as his key challenger.