Dhumal welcomes EC's decision to hold elections on schedule

Una, Oct 17 (UNI) Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister and MP Prem Kumar Dhumal today welcomed the Election Commission's decision to hold state assembly elections on schedule.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said the BJP was even willing for the preponement of elections in case the Congress party felt that it would not be feasible to hold elections at higher altitudes of the state in December.

Mr Dhumal said the government's request of postponing of elections on the plea that the school education board had decided to hold examinations from December two to 12 only reflected the ''perturbed mindset'' of the Congress leadership.

Examination dates could always be changed to suit the interests of the students and the people of the state, he said.

The BJP leader the party had lodged a complaint with the EC for getting a few deputy commissioners, SPs and some other key state government officials, who were working as stooges of the ruling party, transferred.

The party was keeping an eye on the officers who were over enthusiastically involved in preparing the Congress manifesto or working towards the postponment of elections, he said.

He cautioned administrativr officers to ensure that free and fair polls in the state and desist from carrying out the agenda of the Congress.

Former minister Parveen Sharma and Kutlehar legislator Virender Kanwar were also present during the conference.

UNI