Cong,BJP ready for showdown

The nearly 40-day long Budget Session of the state Assembly,which begins on February 28,is likely to witness major fireworks with opposition Congress and the ruling BJP.

The nearly 40-day long Budget Session of the state Assembly,which begins here on February 28,is likely to witness major fireworks with opposition Congress and the ruling BJP which has completed three years in power getting ready for a showdown.

Unlike many other state legislative assemblies,which have become quite infamous for rowdyism and undignified behaviour of MLAs,Himachal Pradesh House still stands out for its gentle character .

To endorse that spirit,Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes says, We are going to take the government really head-on on its three-year lacklustre rule. Our party (Congress) is very disappointed with its performance. The people are extremely unhappy with the government for corruption and nepotism. The MLAs will meet on February 27 to draw up the party’s strategy to corner the government

The BJP,on the other hand,proposes to launch a counter offensive against the Congress government at the Centre for ignoring Himachals interest in expansion of the railway network,withdrawing special industrial package and denying its legitimate rights as special category state. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is already contacting the chief ministers of special category states for taking up the issue with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

The House,which earlier held a brief Winter Session at Dharamshala in December,has an exhaustive agenda on hand,including passing of the budget for year 2011-12,beside its legislative business. The Chief Minister,who also holds the finance portfolio,is slated to present the states annual budget on February 9.

Ravinder Ravi,Minister for Irrigation and Public Health (IPH),who holds Parliamentary Affairs portfolio,said,The government is ready for business on any issue under the roof,if the same is raised under the rules of the House. We have nothing to fear from the Congress or its members,who are free to raise all issues. The government has an excellent track record of three years rule. Only yesterday,a media group presented Diamond state award to the CM.

Not in agreement with Ravi,Stokes says,Just a few days back,I got a letter from the CM daring us (party) to forward him documentary proofs,if we had any,on illegal land deals,benami land transaction and corruption. Rest assured,the party will fulfill his wish and will come out with solid proofs.

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Some of the issues,which are likely to figure in the House,include BJP’s performance in the panchayat and local bodies polls; shortage of doctors in the hospitals,of teachers in rural schools,proposal to close down schools with strength of less than 10 students.

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