Manali: Overhang of the intense ‘Modi for PM’ campaign had Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh denounce the BJP prime ministerial candidate with “Modi cannot be the medicine for every ailment the country faces today.”
Speaking at an election gathering at Jagatsukh village (9Kms from here) Mr Singh harped upon the contributions made by congress party. “Whatever development the country has achieved after Independence it is because of the Congress Party,” he said.
He reminded the largely rural voters that it was the Congress which had helped and achieved in unifying the vast nation.
“Now the nation cannot be ruled by threatening the people. We can only progress by uniting every caste and creed of society, said Mr Singh.
Drawing attention of BJP’s divisive agenda in driving up the Ram Mandir issue in the run up to one of its earlier election campaigns , the Himachal Pradesh chief minister claimed that the party had pocketed more than Rs 1000 Crore as donations from innocent Indians then.
Showing concern for local issues, he said that his government was committed for protecting the environment but not at the cost of livelihoods to the local people,
He said that the government would oppose the National Green Tribunal (NGT) decision to ban over 10 years old petrol/diesel vehicles from plying to Rohtang Pass.
We will request NGT to review its decision to ban all commercial activities at Rohtang Pass that was bound to impact livelihoods of thousands of people,” said Mr Singh,
Asking the voters to give a decisive lead to Pratibha Singh, who happens to be Mr Singh’s wife from Mandi Lok Sabha seat, the chief minister later told the media that he would recommend the party high to take back all expelled and dissident leaders in the party fold.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
