CM mocks at ex-CM over vote margin

Tribune News Service

Solan, January 2

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today mocked at former CM Virbhadra Singh for winning the Arki seat by merely about 6,000 votes as against his earlier record of winning by 15,000 to 20,000 votes.

Thakur, who made a brief stop-over at Chamakhri Pul in Arki, on way to his maiden visit to Bilaspur, said despite being a six-time CM, Singh could only win by a slender margin.

He thanked the people of Arki for extending support to the party, adding that they had made the going tough for the former Chief Minister.

He said the government would accord the top priority to development. He also met truckers at Chamakhri Pul and assured them of all assistance.

A rousing welcome was extended to the CM by the local BJP mandal at Galog, Darlaghat and Kararaghat.

The CM earlier addressed a gathering at Ghanahatti in Shimla where BJP workers accorded him a warm welcome.

Thakur credited his victory to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the national BJP president Amit Shah and said he aimed to see the BJP retain power for 10 to 15 years.

The CM said there was a close contest in Shimla (Rural) but they will have to work hard from now to ensure the party’s victory in the next elections. The Centre had assured all possible assistance for the state’s development. “We are here to serve the people and not to boast of the works. Work is worship for us and my government is committed to welfare of the people,” he added.

Paying heed to the demand of the people for opening a marketing yard at Ghanahatti and a BDO office, he asked them to submit a proposal. He also listened to grievances of the people near Darlaghat.

IPH Minister Mahender Singh Thakur and Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Rajiv Saizal, Mayor, Shimla Municipal Corporation, Kusum Sadret and other office-bearers of the party were also present.

Blames Cong for fiscal mess in state

Addressing his maiden public meeting at Municipal Ground in Bilaspur, Jai Ram Thakur blamed the Congress government for pushing the state into financial debt of around Rs 46,500 crore. He said it was shameful that the party had done little development.

The government would spend every single penny received from the Centre on development.

He said he had met the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister, who had assured him to provide all possible assistance to overcome the debt. Officers had been asked to prepare proposals to overcome the debt, he said, adding that the major challenge was to pull the state out of financial crisis. He said that few independent MLAs also wished to join the party though the people of Himachal Pradesh had given an overwhelming mandate and the party was in absolute majority. He also praised the efforts of former chief ministers Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal for the party’s victory.JR Katwal, MLA, Jhanduta, pleaded for an early solution to the Bhakra Dam oustees’ problems. MLA,Ghumarwin, Rajinder Garg, MLA, Bilaspur, Shubhash Thakur also welcomed the CM.

Policies to be made on Vision Document: CM 

• Jai  Ram Thakur, while addressing a gathering at Namhol in Bilaspur, said   the BJP would adopt its Vision Document 2017 as  policy document. 
• Former BJP MLA  Randhir Sharma earlier welcomed and honoured the CM on reaching Namhol.
• He said efforts would be made to promote tourism activities at Bahadurpur and also redress the grievances of the  Bhakra Dam oustees.
• MLAs  JR Katwal and Paramjit Singh Pammi, former MLA  Rikhi Ram  Kaundal, political adviser to the CM, Trilok Jamwal, OSD Mahender Dharmani and other senior BJP leaders were also present.