CHANDIGARH, August 10: Himachal Vikas Congress - a key coalition partner of the BJP in Himachal Pradesh, has withdrawn its threat to ``review'' its support to the Prem Kumar Dhumal led BJP-HVC coalition government and also conceded Baijnath Assembly seat to its senior alliance partner.The party, which held a meeting at Bilaspur yesterday resolved to continue its support to the government and declared that it would not destabilise the government as same would mean return of the feudalistic and autocratic forces back to power through back-doors. Former Communication Minister and HVC supremo Sukh Ram himself made this announcement after the meeting.In Shimla, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, also told The Indian Express that he had agreed in principle to order CBI probe into the charges levelled by Sukh Ram and his party against former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. ``An exercise at government level to refer the HVC charge-sheet to CBI is already complete and orders referring the matter to CBI will follow very soon,'' he said. Dhumal claimed that preliminary inquiries in some matters had confirmed serious irregularities.Reliable sources said there had been difference of opinion even with the HVC over delay in the government's inaction on the charge-sheet of the HVC. While hard-core and vocal members, mostly the non-MLAs wanted an immediate follow-up action on the issues raised by the party with the Chief Minister but a powerful lobby, including sitting ministers of HVC, had advised against any hasty move.``The government has to follow certain procedures and also see many other things before making a final order,'' a senior HVC minister says. He along with Sukh Ram also shared a common view that the Chief Minister would keep his word and should be trusted. A minister also says, ``We should not leave every thing to Sukh Ram who has a perfect coordination with Dhumal''.The HVC, on August 1 had served an ultimatum to the state government either order CBI probe against Virbhadra Singh on the charge-sheet already submitted by the party, or be ready to face the consequence to follow after August 20 next. The party had also asked the BJP to support party nominee for contesting Baijanath assembly seat, which had fallen vacant after death of former minister and veteran Congress leader Sant Ram.However, soon after the threat, Sukh Ram and Dhumal had a detailed meeting in Delhi and earlier at Parwanoo and sorted out all issues, which had been worrying the HVC ranks. Sukh Ram had assured Dhumal that he would not let him down and support to BJP would contiue. Sukh Ram had made a similar announcement when he toured Thanedar area of Shimla along with Public Works Minister Mohinder Singh and other HVC leaders.The Chief Minister, reliable sources said, had little worries from the HVC and had assured Sukh Ram that all common points in the manifesto of the two parties would be part of the government's agenda and HVC workers would get a due importance at all government levels.
