After Jogi, next in BJP firing line is me: Virbhadra

‘‘The BJP top brass, in active connivance with local BJP leaders, has prepared the ground to involve me in cases of corruption to draw political mileage in elections in four states. The Centre and top BJP leaders are working hard to get charges framed against me. They have failed to nail me politically and are now out to use other agencies just to humiliate my party. But their designs will be defeated,’’ Virbhadra said.

A case relating to allotment of khair wood is slated for hearing in a Shimla court on October 18 when charges are likely to be framed. The Vigilance had, during the previous BJP regime, submitted a chargesheet against Virbhadra for violating norms while making allotment of wood to a private party.

‘‘The timing of the case might prove to be politically damaging for me as well as for the party,’’ the CM said, reiterating that he has full faith in the judiciary. ‘‘I will fight the legal battle but the intentions of the Central Government to target one Congress CM after another are suspect,’’ he said.

Congress circles are agog with speculation that once charges are framed against Virbhadra and the other accused in the case, the BJP would make it a poll plank that various Congress chief ministers are involved in cases of corruption and favouritism.

Virbhadra feels the party would stand by him. ‘‘And there are numerous legal options available,’’ he quipped but refused to detail them.