Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Congress, BJP Stage Rival Protests at Himachal Assembly
Congress and BJP lawmakers held separate protests at the Himachal Pradesh Assembly.
The protests happened before the Assembly began its work for the day.
BJP members said two state health schemes, Himcare and Sahara, were being weakened.
Congress members criticized the BJP-led central government over inflation and unemployment.
Congress also raised allegations of corruption.
BJP leader Jairam Thakur defended Himcare and said many people use its free healthcare services.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the protests were distracting people from serious problems.
Both sides said they were confident about winning future elections.
Congress and BJP MLAs held separate demonstrations at the Himachal Assembly campus on August 25.
The BJP protested what it called the weakening of the Himcare and Sahara health schemes.
The Congress demonstration focused on inflation, unemployment and alleged corruption.
Jairam Thakur said Himcare began under the BJP in 2019 and benefits lakhs of people.
Mukesh Agnihotri accused the BJP of using protests to divert attention from pressing issues.
- Who
- Congress and BJP MLAs, led by Mukesh Agnihotri and Jairam Thakur respectively.
- What
- The two parties held separate demonstrations and exchanged accusations over health schemes, inflation, unemployment and corruption.
- When
- August 25, before proceedings on the fourth day of the Himachal Assembly’s Monsoon session.
- Where
- Inside the Vidhan Sabha campus in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- The BJP opposed the alleged weakening of Himcare and Sahara, while Congress criticized inflation, unemployment and alleged corruption.
Congress position
BJP position
Focus of the protests
Congress position
Congress said the opposition should address rising inflation, unemployment and other serious issues instead of staging distracting protests.
BJP position
The BJP focused on what it described as the weakening of the Himcare and Sahara health schemes.
Political motivation
Congress position
Mukesh Agnihotri accused the BJP of trying to divert public attention from pressing issues facing the country and Himachal Pradesh.
BJP position
Jairam Thakur defended the BJP’s demonstration and said Himcare provides free healthcare services to lakhs of people.
Electoral claims
Congress position
Agnihotri said Congress would contest upcoming elections with full vigour and told the opposition to stop dreaming of returning to power.
BJP position
Thakur mocked Congress and said it should prepare to be in opposition after being voted out in the next election.
- Event
- Separate Congress and BJP demonstrations
- Date
- August 25
- Location
- Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha campus, Shimla
- Assembly session
- Fourth day of the Monsoon session
- BJP issues
- Alleged weakening of Himcare and Sahara health schemes
- Congress issues
- Inflation, unemployment and alleged corruption
- Himcare origin
- The scheme began under the BJP in 2019, according to Jairam Thakur