Shimla: As chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal draws up plans to expand his cabinet, BJP has chosen to remain silent over likely appointments of parliamentary secretaries and central parliamentary secretaries, something it had gone to court against as an opposition party in 2006 and forced the then congress government drop the appointments made.
Speaking to the media, Jai Ram Thakur, BJP state president said, “the party had not discussed the issue of appointing PS and CPS at its state executive meet held today and it was only the chief minister prerogative for making such appointments.â€
When reminded that BJP had petitioned the court and the then congress government led by Virbhadra Singh was forced to drop 12 PS and CPS, Thakur said “those appointments were cancelled on technical grounds.â€
The state executive council expressed concern over the 8 month dry spell and the water crisis many parts of the state are facing, he said.
Expressing satisfaction about the party performance in the state, he said, winning 3 of the 4 seats, including Shimla seat for the first time and taking a lead in as many as 48 of the 68 assembly segments indicated that the party was on firm ground, especially as it did not perform to expectations in other neighbouring states.
Party dissidence was being viewed seriously and there were about 7 case of anti party activities luing with a select committee. Action will only be taken after their report, said the state party president.
At not winning the parliamentary elections there was shock and pain in the party but it was only down and not out, he said.
A membership drive would be launched from July 6, and the state unit targeted to draw more than 5 lakh members. These memberships are valid for 6 six years, said Thakur.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
