No political crises in HP, says CM

Shimla, Mar 24 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today asserted that there was no political crises in the state and reports of disqualification of 19 MLAs from the state Vidhan Sabha were ''unfounded and misconceived.'' ''No Congress MLA, including chairpersons of Boards or Corporations or former Chief Parliamentary secretaries (CPS) and Parliamentary Secretaries (PS), attracted disqualification for holding 'office of profit' as they were already exempted from this provision under the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Members (Removal of Disqualification) Act of 1971,'' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Singh was reacting to reports in a section of the press that said Himachal was heading towards political crises, as 19 MLAs might be disqualified from the Assembly for holding the 'office of profit'.

''Reports that state is heading for a political crisis are ill-founded and misconceived and nothing is going to happen.'' The Chief Minister said his government was strong as ever and had the overwhelming support of the masses and any talk of ''political uncertainty'' was absurd.

The issue of twelve former CPSs and PSs was still pending with theElection Commission and all the affected MLAs had already brought to the notice of the Commission that the 1971 Act fully protected them against disqualification, he said.

Replying to a question whether the former CPSs and PSs would also tender their resignations from Vidhan Sabha, emulating Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Singh said since there was no similarity between both the cases, there was no need for them to resign from their Assembly Membership. He said Congress President Sonia Gandhi had upheld the high moral standards in public life and democratic values, by resigning from the Lok Sabha.

Mr Singh also hinted that a vacancy in the Himachal Cabinet might be filled soon, saying the expansion or reshuffle of his ministry would be carried out as and when necessary.

Referring to reports that HP Congress Committee Chief Viplove Thakur's nomination to Rajya Sabha had strengthened the party in Kangra district, he said that such inferences were 'fallacious'.

The Chief Minister said' if for a moment' it was presumed to be correct than a Minister in Union Ministry from Kangra would have made the party four times more stronger.

''The party is strengthen by honest party workers who highlight the government's achievements,'' he added.

UNI