Himachal BJP files complaint against Congress to EC over alleged attack on Kangana Ranaut in Lahaul-Spiti

Lahaul and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 20 : Parmod Kumar Thakur, BJP's Himachal Pradesh Office Secretary, filed a complaint to the Election Commissioner of India against Congress party on Monday over an alleged attack on Kangana Ranaut, Jai Ram Thakur, and Ravi Thakur at Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh and said that the political procession by BJP was subjected to a life-threatening attack by Congress.
In the complaint, Parmod Kumar Thakur said, "I am writing to bring to your immediate attention a deeply disturbing incident that occurred during a political procession involving Kangna Ranaut, BJP Candidate from the 2-Mandi Parliamentary Constituency, Jai Ram Thakur, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, and Ravi Thakur, BJP Candidate from the Lahaul & Spiti Bye-Elections, at Kaza, District Lahaul & Spiti on May 20, 2024."
The office secretary claimed that the political procession led by Kangna Ranaut, Jai Ram Thakur, and Ravi Thakur was subjected to a life-threatening attack by Congress.
Parmod Kumar Thakur said, "Notably, the aforementioned political procession was subjected to a life-threatening attack by Congress workers, putting the lives of the participants at grave risk and even leading to a grievous injury to one BJP worker. The assailant Congress workers tried to illegally restrain the political procession and even pelted stones thereupon."
He added further, "It is pertinent to mention here that the District Administration granted permission to the Congress for organising a political meeting adjacent to the place already scheduled to hold a political meeting of BJP at Kaza in Lahaul & Spiti under the undue influence of the State Government in utter violation of the Model Code of Conduct."
Thakur also claimed that the protest against Kangna Ranaut was the execution of a premeditated plan of the Congress and its workers and said, "This can be inferred from the fact that the Congress Party sought permission to hold a rally and political meeting adjacent to the spot where BJP's political procession and meeting was already scheduled."
He added, "Moreover, black flags were also shown to the BJP procession and slogans were raised against Kangna Ranaut."
Slamming the election agency, Thakur suggested that the agency must be immediately transferred from Lahaul & Spiti. "It appears that permitting both parties the same location at the same time is a big lapse on the part of the election commission even though permission to BJP was provided first, the officers involved in this act are biased against BJP and free and fair elections are doubtful under the circumstances."
Parmod Kumar Thakur described the violence as an egregious act and said that it not only endangers the safety and well-being of the individuals involved but also strikes at the very heart of democratic principles. "It is unacceptable that political candidates and leaders, who play a vital role in shaping our democracy, are subjected to such brazen acts of intimidation and violence," he said.
Thakur in his complaint also emphasised that the right to engage in peaceful political activities must be safeguarded at all costs, and any attempts to undermine this fundamental right must be met with swift and decisive action.
Urging the Election Commission office to launch a thorough investigation into the matter, Thakur said, "Identify the Congress party perpetrators responsible for orchestrating the attack, and ensure that they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Additionally, measures must be put in place to enhance the security protocols surrounding political events to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
Meanwhile, Jairam Thakur took to his official X handle and called the attack by Congress on BJP workers in Lahaul-Spiti unfortunate and condemnable. Posting a video, he tweeted, "The attack on our BJP workers by Congress people in Lahaul-Spiti today is unfortunate and condemnable. Congress is scared of the massive majority that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to get. Seeing its defeat certain, it has resorted to such a cowardly act."
He added, "Ever since Kangana Ranaut ji was declared the BJP candidate, Congress has been launching personal attacks on our candidate in one way or the other. Now the matter has reached the level of violence. Such an incident is against the democratic system and is shameful for Devbhoomi."