BJP flays Cong for picking up ‘tainted’ CM

Stung by the Congress demand for the resignations of Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi due to their alleged involvement in the Babri Masjid demolition case, the BJP hit back today, questioning the Congress’ choice of Virbhadra Singh as the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister despite his alleged involvement in a corruption case.

BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman V. K. Malhotra said Virbhadra was facing a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was currently on bail. ‘‘With the court having ruled that there are sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused, including Virbhadra Singh, the Congress has to state its stand on the matter,’’ he said.

Malhotra said it did not behove the Congress to practise such ‘‘double-standards — opposing the return of George to the Cabinet and installing Virbhadra as CM.’’