Playback singer Sona Mohapatra has called on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to address the pressing civic and environmental issues in Himachal Pradesh, questioning the state of governance in the Congress-ruled state even as he leads protests over alleged irregularities in India's electoral system.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, October 13, the singer tagged the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and urged him to focus on the problems faced by the hill state. Sona, who said she returned to Himachal Pradesh after nine years, expressed shock at the condition of its surroundings and called for greater accountability from the state government.

“Dear @RahulGandhi, before repairing democracy, could you start by repairing Himachal Pradesh? I returned after 9 years & was shocked by garbage-strewn hills and choking rivers. Make this Congress-governed state a model of governance. Earn the people's mandate, don't just demand it,” she wrote.

Sona Mohapatra questions Congress' governance in Himachal Pradesh

Sona's remarks come amid ongoing protests led by opposition parties against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The opposition has alleged that the exercise has resulted in the disenfranchisement of millions of voters, while the Election Commission and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have denied allegations of manipulation.

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On Monday, Rahul Gandhi joined other opposition leaders in a protest march in the national capital. The demonstrations have included demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with the opposition also approaching the Supreme Court over the electoral roll revision exercise.

The protests, which began on October 10, have seen demonstrators detained and security restrictions imposed in Delhi. The movement has continued into October 13, with opposition leaders pressing for action over their concerns about the electoral process.

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Against this backdrop, Sona's post has turned the spotlight on the Congress government's record in Himachal Pradesh, with the singer urging Rahul Gandhi to address local governance concerns alongside his demands for electoral accountability.