Anurag Thakur accuses Congress of turning Himachal Bhawan into political hub
Synopsis
BJP MP Anurag Thakur levelled sharp accusations against Congress on 12 October, alleging the party had turned Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi into a political stronghold with 200-250 workers crowding the premises — even as Rahul Gandhi led an opposition march to the Supreme Court over alleged vote theft, making it one of the capital's most politically charged days in recent weeks.
Key Takeaways
BJP MP Anurag Thakur accused Congress of turning Himachal Bhawan , New Delhi, into a political base on 12 October .
Around 200–250 Congress workers reportedly gathered at the Bhawan, disrupting access for the public and officials.
Thakur alleged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu sheltered protest workers at Himachal Bhawan and later moved them to the state.
Rahul Gandhi led an opposition march to the Supreme Court , announcing a petition at 3 pm against alleged 'vote chori.' The INDIA bloc also planned to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on the same issue.
CJP leaders visited Parliament Street Police Station seeking permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar , giving Delhi Police a 24-hour deadline.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur on Monday, 12 October accused Congress leaders of making baseless allegations against constitutional institutions and converting Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi into a political base, as opposition parties simultaneously marched towards the Supreme Court over alleged vote theft.
Thakur's Allegations Against Congress
Speaking to reporters, Thakur charged that Congress workers — numbering around 200 to 250 — had gathered at Himachal Bhawan near Mandi House, making it difficult for the general public, Himachal officials, and others to enter or leave the premises. 'Congress leaders are making baseless statements against constitutional institutions. Now, they have turned Himachal Bhawan into a political hub,' he said.
Thakur further alleged that Congress workers who had fled an earlier protest were sheltered at Himachal Bhawan by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and subsequently accommodated in the state. He also referred to an incident during the AI Summit, alleging that Congress staged what he described as a 'shameless, shirtless protest in front of the world.'
Debt Concerns and State Resources
The BJP MP alleged that the Congress-led state government was simultaneously pushing Himachal Pradesh into debt while deploying state resources — including its Delhi Bhawan — for political activities. 'You have ruined Himachal Pradesh terribly and turned Himachal Bhawan into your political fortress,' he said.
Opposition March to Supreme Court
Separately, opposition parties led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi marched towards the Supreme Court to raise the issue of alleged 'vote chori' (vote theft). At a press conference, Gandhi announced he would file a petition in the Supreme Court at 3 pm against the alleged vote theft. Earlier, Gandhi had indicated that the INDIA bloc would submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on behalf of the country.
CJP Seeks Protest Clearance
In a related development, leaders of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, visited the Parliament Street Police Station seeking a date to hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP has given Delhi Police a 24-hour deadline to confirm a date for the proposed demonstration.
The day's developments point to a sharp escalation in political activity across the capital, with multiple opposition groups pressing different constitutional grievances simultaneously.
Point of View
And their use for political mobilisation, if verified, raises legitimate accountability questions regardless of which party is in power. That said, the BJP's criticism arrives on a day when its own political opponents are pressing constitutional bodies, making the charges read partly as counter-messaging. The simultaneous march to the Supreme Court by the INDIA bloc over vote theft allegations signals that the opposition is determined to shift the battlefield from the streets to the judiciary — a strategic escalation worth watching closely.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anurag Thakur allege about Himachal Bhawan?
BJP MP Anurag Thakur alleged on 12 October that Congress workers — around 200 to 250 of them — had taken over Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi, making it difficult for the public and officials to access the building. He further alleged that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had sheltered Congress protest workers there before moving them to Himachal Pradesh.
Why is Himachal Bhawan at the centre of this controversy?
Himachal Bhawan is a state-owned facility in New Delhi meant for official use. Thakur's allegation is that Congress has been using it as a political staging ground, including accommodating workers who fled a protest during the AI Summit — an allegation the Congress has not yet formally responded to.
What is the INDIA bloc's 'vote chori' petition about?
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi announced a petition to be filed in the Supreme Court at 3 pm on 12 October against alleged 'vote chori' or vote theft. The INDIA bloc also planned to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on the matter, framing it as a broader electoral integrity concern.
Who is the Cockroach Janta Party and what do they want?
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), represented by leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, visited Parliament Street Police Station seeking a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP gave Delhi Police a 24-hour deadline to provide a confirmed date.
What is the broader political context of these developments?
The events on 12 October reflect a sharp escalation in opposition activity, with multiple groups simultaneously targeting constitutional offices — the Election Commission and the Supreme Court — through street protests and legal petitions. BJP's response, including Thakur's Himachal Bhawan remarks, signals an effort to frame the opposition's methods as disruptive and politically motivated.
