BJP in disarray,Cong ups the ante

Addressing a press conference here PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur said the Congress’ stand against the BJP government about its role in patronising corruption was fully vindicated by the formation of the Bhrashtachar Mukti Morcha – a front formed by senior BJP to reportedly fight corruption in the state.

“ Most of the BJP leaders,who are in the front have held responsible positions in the party and earlier BJP governments. We believe that they have some irrefutable evidence and information about the corruption in the government. We welcome their move to fight corruption as the Congress was already working to expose the government for corruption,illegal land deals,support being given to corrupt officers – posted at plum positions and selling out Himachal’s interests to outsiders”,the PCC president said.

Thakur ridiculed the chief minister for terming the front’s leaders as group of ‘disgruntled,defeated and corrupt’ leaders and dared him to take action against them ,if there was concrete evidence. Otherwise,it would be presumed as a threat – a tactic that Dhumal has always used to browbeat Congress leaders,and stifle opponents,he added.

The PCC president named two BJP ministers – Rajeev Bindal and Ravinder Ravi,who are under attack from the BJP rebels as well. “ It was veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar,who chose to disassociate himself from the party affairs in the state after Rajeev Bindal reinstated the tainted state drug controller Sher Singh,despite a vigilance FIR against him. The other minister had role in a controversial nursing college at Palampur – which continues to function with recognition”,he said. Thakur pointed out that Congress MLAs had submitted a memorandum to the Speaker during the Assembly’s monsoon session seeking sanction to prosecute Rajeev Bindal.

Thakur also anounced plan for a second padyatra from Naudan in Harmirpur to Dharamshala on the issue of corruption and BJP government’s inability to fulfill election promises.

Urged to react to Union Minister Virbhadra Singh’s charges that the Congress was not doing the job of the Opposition in the state,the PCC president said,“ I have already said we are playing the role of a constructive opposition within and outside the Assembly. Let him ( Virbhadra ) say whatever he wants,after all we will not go to the Assembly with guns to shoot down the BJP ?”.

With the Youth Congress elections slated for this week and Virbhadra Singh’s son Vikramaditya Singh (22) in the poll fray,Thakur said,“ There is no lower limit of age limit prescribed for the post. Even those,who otherwise could be in the NSUI,can aspire to be Youth Congress president. But,I think one who carries enough experience of working in two organisations – NSUI and Youth Congress,should ordinarily be contesting the post “.