Dhumal seeks apology from Cong for not raising voice against ‘injustice’

Dhumal alleged that PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur and CLP leader Vidya Stokes — who termed the BJP’s ‘Nyaya rally’ a non-event on Monday and even raised doubts on party president Nitin Gadkari’s support to the cause — are “living in a fool’s paradise and are unaware of ground realities”.

He said: “Gadkari has publicly pledged support to Himachal’s cause for justice. Not only this,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has also assured to review the withdrawal of the central excise concessions.”

He contested the claim that the package was still in place even after withdrawal of the central excise concessions. “Every one is aware that central excise was the main component of the package. The other two incentives — income tax and capital subsidy exemptions — were just a marginal part.”

Dhumal ridiculed the state Congress leaders who had promised to accompany him to the prime minister for discussion of the package issue but later backed out. “I spoke to both Stokes and Kaul Singh. I also invited Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh to join me. None of these leaders came forward,” he said.

The CM said the government had kept its option open to file a case in the Supreme Court against the withdrawal of the central excise concessions. With Uttarakhand Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank arriving in Shimla on Wednesday,there will be talks about forming a common strategy on the issue.

“If the Centre restores the concessions up to 2013,as was originally proposed,the BJP will organise a massive thanksgiving rally,” he declared.