Political Leaders Visit Mandi After Cloudburst Disaster, Face Criticism

Political Leaders' Coincidental Visit to Mandi

Munish Sood
Mandi:
In an unusual political occurrence, Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda both visited the Mandi district, which was recently affected by flash floods and cloudbursts, on the same day—over a week after the calamity occurred.

While both leaders emphasized the importance of assessing the damage firsthand and connecting with the public, their simultaneous visits, following a significant absence, have attracted sharp criticism from political analysts and local residents.

Since the cloudbursts on June 30, which severely impacted areas like Seraj, Nachan, Karsog, and Dharampur, over 42 individuals are still unaccounted for, and many have been displaced. The disaster resulted in the destruction of more than 400 homes, leading to urgent calls for assistance. Critics argue that these calls were met with political maneuvering rather than prompt action.

Sukhu's Delayed Response Faces Backlash

Chief Minister Sukhu's arrival in Seraj on Tuesday, after his helicopter was unable to fly due to bad weather, followed increasing criticism regarding his absence. Accompanied by district officials and disaster response teams, he announced a compensation package of Rs 7 lakh for families who lost their homes and Rs 50,000 for livestock losses.

“These figures represent real families in need of immediate and long-term assistance,” Sukhu stated, promising that relief efforts would be formalized in the next Cabinet meeting. However, his late arrival was criticized by the opposition BJP, which accused the Congress-led government of being slow to respond.

“While people were searching for the missing and seeking refuge in damaged schools, the Chief Minister was nowhere to be found. Announcements are appreciated, but they cannot replace timely action,” remarked former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who represents the Seraj constituency.

Nadda's Unexpected Visit Sparks Mixed Reactions

Adding complexity to the political situation was BJP president JP Nadda's unannounced return, who had previously been in Himachal from July 2 to 5 without visiting any disaster sites. His sudden appearance on the same day as Sukhu's visit is perceived by many as an attempt at damage control amid rising public dissatisfaction and internal party criticism.

During his brief visit to Pangalioner (Nachan), Nadda interacted with affected families and promised “full support from the Centre,” although no specific relief initiatives were announced. Sources within the BJP indicated that Nadda's return was prompted by state BJP president Rajeev Bindal's comments regarding delays in relief efforts and the visibility of senior leaders.

Political analyst Vinay Chauhan noted, “The simultaneous appearance of both leaders after a week of devastation does not convey true leadership; it appears more like a staged event. There was a clear chance for a swift, coordinated response, but instead, we witnessed a prolonged silence followed by a synchronized display of presence.”

“We are not concerned about who visits us. We need water, electricity, and assistance in locating our missing relatives. Everything else is just noise,” expressed Pritam Negi, a survivor from Karsog currently residing in a relief camp lacking access to clean drinking water.