Himachal jobs became a major political issue on Sunday as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on the Congress government during his visit to Shimla. He questioned Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu over the party’s promise to provide five lakh jobs in Himachal Pradesh.
Addressing a BJP rally, Sarma compared the employment records of Assam and Himachal Pradesh. He claimed that the BJP government in Assam had exceeded its target of providing one lakh government jobs and challenged the Congress to explain its progress on employment commitments.
Himachal Jobs: Sarma Questions Congress’ Five-Lakh Promise
Sarma raised questions about the Congress government’s employment commitments while addressing the BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ campaign in Shimla.
He pointed out that the Congress had promised five lakh jobs during the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. However, he questioned how many young people had actually received employment under the Sukhu-led government.
The Assam Chief Minister also compared the promise with his government’s recruitment record in Assam. According to Sarma, the BJP had committed to providing one lakh government jobs in Assam but had delivered approximately 1.07 lakh appointments.
He used the comparison to challenge the Congress government’s performance and demand greater accountability on employment.
Moreover, Sarma urged the Himachal leadership to explain its progress instead of making political claims. His remarks placed the issue of unemployment at the centre of the BJP’s campaign against the ruling party.
Assam’s Employment Record Becomes Political Talking Point
During his address, Sarma presented Assam’s government recruitment figures as an example of the BJP’s performance.
He maintained that his government had crossed its original target of one lakh government jobs. The figure of approximately 1.07 lakh appointments formed the basis of his criticism of the Congress in Himachal Pradesh.
However, employment figures in both states have remained subjects of political debate.
The Himachal Pradesh government has previously presented its own figures in the state Assembly. In September 2026, Parliamentary Affairs and Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan told the Assembly that the government had provided 1,60,729 employment opportunities up to December 31, 2025.
These included 32,223 regular government jobs, according to the minister. He also said recruitment for around 18,000 advertised posts was underway.
Additionally, the government had set a target of providing 50,000 regular government jobs by December 31, 2026.
The BJP, however, has questioned whether these figures match the Congress’s original electoral commitments.
Himachal Jobs Debate Extends to Women’s Financial Assistance
Sarma also targeted the Congress government over its promise of monthly financial assistance for women.
He questioned the implementation of the Congress’s commitment to provide Rs 1,500 per month to women in Himachal Pradesh. He contrasted the promise with financial assistance schemes introduced by the Assam government.
The issue formed another part of his broader criticism of the Congress government’s election guarantees.
Meanwhile, the Congress has defended its record by highlighting employment opportunities and welfare measures introduced during its tenure.
The debate over these promises is likely to remain important as political parties prepare for the next Assembly elections. For the BJP, questions surrounding employment and financial assistance offer an opportunity to challenge the Congress government’s performance.
BJP’s Shimla March Targets Congress Government
Sarma’s remarks came during the BJP’s ‘Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy’ padyatra in Shimla on November 1.
The march began near the Old Bus Stand and passed through Victory Tunnel and the Vidhan Sabha road before reaching Chaura Maidan, where party leaders addressed a gathering.
Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajeev Bindal, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and Hamirpur MP Anurag Singh Thakur also participated in the programme.
The campaign focused on the BJP’s criticism of the Congress and its position on electoral processes, particularly the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Sarma questioned the Congress’s objections to electronic voting machines, arguing that the party had secured power through the same electoral system it was now criticising.
He also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to explain the party’s allegations of vote theft.
The padyatra formed part of the BJP’s wider mobilisation campaign across Himachal Pradesh. The party has planned similar programmes in different parliamentary constituencies to strengthen its political outreach.
Himachal Jobs Set to Remain a Key Political Issue
The exchange between Sarma and the Congress leadership highlights the growing importance of employment in Himachal Pradesh’s political debate.
The BJP is using the five-lakh jobs promise to question the ruling government’s performance. Meanwhile, the Congress government has cited its employment figures and ongoing recruitment initiatives to defend its record.
With the next Assembly election approaching in 2027, both parties are likely to intensify their arguments over development, jobs and welfare guarantees.
For young people in the state, however, the central concern remains access to stable employment and meaningful opportunities.
Ultimately, the debate over Himachal jobs will depend not only on political promises but also on verifiable recruitment figures and the delivery of employment commitments. Sarma’s latest remarks have added fresh momentum to this political contest.
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