Shimla: With dissensions in ruling BJP having brought out the division in the ranks, an emboldened opposition congress on Thursday announced plans of launching a protest rally against corruption that will start from Hamirpur and will end with gherao of the Vidhan Sabha during the winter session.
Talking to reporters, Kaul Singh Thakur, state congress president said that with BJP leaders lead by former party president Maheshwar Singh having formed a anti corruption front against their own government has only validated what congress has been saying for such a long time.
He said that the governments vocal stand about zero tolerance to corruption stood exposed as the High Court has more than once intervened in transfers of tainted officers and even convicted some of graft charges.
“This government is compromising with corruption at every step, he said.
The party has decided to launch a protest yatra from Nadaun-Hamirpur, the home district of chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, at the onset of winter session to highlight rampant corruption in the government, he added.
The party is preparing a charge sheet, and it had stumbled upon many documents exposing dubious land deals where precious agriculture land was being sold to outsiders, activity of mining mafia, construction companies, awarding of contracts and several benami deals, he said.
Date of the yatra would be announced after schedule of the winter session is announced as the party intends to gherao the Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan in Dharmshala during the session, said the party president.
Pointing out the case of government land leased out to a trust run by Baba Ramdev in Solan district, the congress president said that according to the lease terms, a herbal garden was supposed to come up there but the large constructions being carried out on the site that I recently saw do not indicate that the land it being used for purpose it was intended for.
Asking for immediate stoppage of the construction activity, Kaul Singh said congress has been opposing the leasing out of prime government land and should the party return to power, the lease would be cancelled.
About the party being prepared for the bye-elections in Nalagarh and Renuka, he said that BJP cadres were annoyed with their own government which would work towards the advantage of congress party.
The process of selecting the elections candidates has been initiated, he added.
About the ensuing elections to the youth congress wing being held by the party, in which union minister Virbhadra Singh’s son and senior congress leader GS Bali’s son are candidates, Kaul Singh said that whosoever wins would be entrusted with the task of strengthening the party.
Photo: Amit
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
