Apologise for remarks against Himachal CM, Rakesh Pathania tells Mukesh Agnihotri

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 24

The BJP has sought an apology from Leader of the Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri for his outburst against Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, while addressing mediapersons here today, said that Agnihotri should apologise for his comments on the Chief Minister. He added that Agnihotri’s outburst against the Chief Minister showed his frustration and marginalisation in his own party.

“People feel that the level of political debate has lowered to the worst level. Let Agnihotri cite one instance when the Chief Minister or any other BJP leader had mentioned his wife’s or daughter’s name. It is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to use the government helicopter and he does not need permission from the Opposition for it,” he said.

Pathania said that the BJP did not believe in hitting below the belt or targeting anybody’s family. “The only reason I see for such behaviour and use of unparliamentary language by Agnihotri is his frustration as he could neither become the state Congress president nor the chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee,” he added.

“Who is Agnihotri to ask the Chief Minister to vacate his official residence ? It is the designated residence of the Chief Minister, so who is he to ask Jai Ram Thakur to move out,” said Pathania. “I challenge Agnihotri to prove that anyone has dragged the name of his wife or daughter anywhere,” he added.

Pathania warned that there was a lot material against Agnihotri for the period when he was Industries Minister, including Rs 23 crore spent on an industrial area at Pandoga and wasteful expenditure of Rs 50 crore in building a centre, which had not been used.

The minister also objected to Agnihotri’s remarks against women. He was accompanied by Power Minister Sukh Ram Chaudhary on the occasion.

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