Its all set to rain rallies in the state. While the Congress has proposed to gherao the Assembly here in the midst of its winter session,the ruling BJP has now decided to hit back and organise a bigger rally to counter the Opposition on December 23 - the very next day after the Congress agitation. The party has chosen the same venue and the decision has the backing of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. Apart from the political colour,the BJP is all set to use the rally to drum up support for the division of the states largest district,Kangra. This rally is basically to felicitate the CM on completion of four years in power. The demand for the creation of new districts is already there and if we get the CMs nod,we will raise the demand for making Nurpur as a district,beside others at the rally,Nurpur MLA Rakesh Pathania (Independent), told The Indian Express. The BJP legislature party,which met here on Sunday ,also discussed the issue and has decided to back the December 23 rally. The demand for new districts was raised first by IPH minister Ravinder Ravi but Dhumal rule out the possibility of trifurcating Kangra. Inquiries reveal that a powerful section of the BJP in Kangra district has been lobbying actively for creation of new districts. Dhumal seems to have softened his stand and has said that the division will depend on the peoples wish. The CM,in the past,has shown an inclination for the trifurcation of Kangra. In 2003,just before the Assembly elections,he posted additional deputy commissioners at six places to upgrade the status of the sub-divisions as a prelude to the formation of new districts. The Congress,however,on return to power reversed the move. The developments have now put the Congress on the back foot. Congress Legislature Party leader Vidya Stokes said: We are not opposed to the demand but its all about the time,which Dhumal has chosen to hoodwink the people of the state. We cant trust the BJP government,which had remained quite on the demand for new districts in past four years.
