Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. On Friday, October 24, 2025, Jai Ram Thakur, Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, extended warm wishes to Hamirpur MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur on his 51st birthday. The message, posted on Twitter at 9:34 am (Indian Standard Time), saw Jai Ram praying to Maa Avah Devi for Anurag's good health and long life. A photo was also shared with the post, in which Jai Ram is seen presenting a bouquet of flowers to Anurag.

The photo shows Jairam in black traditional attire and Anurag in a brown kurta-pyjama. The background shows a lush green landscape and a few other people, possibly indicating a small ceremony held near a government or party office. Anurag Thakur was born on October 24, 1974, and the timing of this message coincides with his birthday, making it even more significant.

Jairam Thakur, a six-time MLA from the Seraj assembly constituency in Mandi district, served as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh from December 27, 2017, to March 11, 2022. However, in the 2022 assembly elections, Congress won 40 seats and the BJP was reduced to 25, forcing Jairam to resign. Despite this, he remains influential as the leader of the opposition in the state and is preparing for future elections.

Anurag Thakur, on the other hand, has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur four times and held the portfolios of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting in the second Modi government. He is the son of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and plays a key role as a strategist within the party, although his tenure has been marked by controversies, such as the 72-hour campaigning ban imposed by the Election Commission in 2020.

This birthday message is not just a personal courtesy, but a symbol of political unity. The BJP is working to strengthen its strategy after the 2022 defeat, and the mention of Maa Avah Devi in ​​this message reflects a connection to local sentiments, a common tactic in Indian politics. The photo, which appears to have been taken recently, may have been part of an event organized before Anurag's birthday. It reflects the unity between Jairam and Anurag, especially since the BJP lost all seats in Anurag's home district, Hamirpur, in 2022.

The post received mixed reactions on Twitter. Supporters extended birthday wishes, while some users posted critical comments, such as a reference to opposition "mercenaries" raising slogans for the chief ministership. This reflects the political polarization in the state, where questions have been raised about the BJP's strategy and leadership.

The political atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh is heated until October 2025. The Congress government, which came to power in December 2022 under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has faced MLA defections and economic challenges. The BJP, under Jairam's leadership, is raising questions about inflation and governance, as seen in the 2022 "Mahangai Chaupal" protests. Congress retained Mandi and other seats in recent by-elections, but the BJP is preparing for the 2027 assembly elections.

Anurag's national image and Jairam's local influence are crucial to the BJP's revival plan. This birthday message could signal future coordinated campaigns or symbolize Anurag's potential role in state politics. This move comes amid efforts to strengthen the party's position in the state, even as it seeks to consolidate its position nationally for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The mention of Maa Avah Devi links to the region's spiritual tourism, reflecting the BJP's strategy of combining cultural pride and political messaging. Thus, Jairam Thakur's birthday wish to Anurag Thakur is a blend of personal friendship and political strategy. For Anurag, 51, and Jairam, the opposition leader, the coming years will be a test of their ability to navigate the complex political terrain of the state.

For more updates, follow @jairamthakurbjp and @ianuragthakur on Twitter or visit the xAI website.