The Hindu : National : BJP demands President’s Rule in Himachal Pradesh

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Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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BJP demands President’s Rule in Himachal Pradesh

Staff Correspondent

Welcomes EC’s decision of early polls in State

Accuses Congress Government in State of being “dictatorial and fascist”
People will vote for development, not decisive powers, says Chief Minister

SHIMLA: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday demanded immediate imposition of President’s Rule in Himachal Pradesh to ensure free and fair elections.

Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader Satpal Jain, who is in charge of the party’s affairs in Himachal Pradesh, welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of Wednesday about early elections in the hill State.

Mr. Jain said the BJP in Himachal Pradesh was completely united and thoroughly prepared for the coming polls. He appealed to senior bureaucrats and government functionaries not to succumb to any pressure from any quarter and help in a just and fair conduct of the upcoming Vidhan Sabha polls. The State is scheduled to go to polls in two phases on November 14 and December 19. “Corruption, price rise, unemployment and failure of the Congress-led government in the State on all fronts would be the main election issues this time,” he said. He also denied any internal strife or division of cadres between the Shanta Kumar and Dhumal camps in the party. “We would reach an amicable understanding for the top post of Chief Ministership and there would be no infighting at all,” he asserted.

The State Election Committee of the party will meet in Jwalamukhi on Sunday, he announced. The party has decided to contest all 68 State Assembly seats and would not enter into alliance with any party. “The recent formation of the Himachal unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party would only damage the Congress since many Congressmen are joining the Mayawati bandwagon,” he said.

Describing the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress Government in the State as “dictatorial and fascist”, he said registration of a sedition case against some vernacular journalists was highly unfortunate and uncalled for. He demanded an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister and offered free legal aid by his party to any victimised scribes in the State.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is away in the United States these days, has also welcomed the announcement of early polls in the State. In a statement on Thursday, he claimed that the Congress would return to power in the State. He said the people would vote for development and not for divisive forces. “We had a zero tolerance for corruption and did check the price rise and unemployment in the State,” he asserted.

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