Shanta appeals to vote for change

Shimla, May 19 (UNI) Former union minister Shanta Kumar today appealed to the electorate to vote for change in the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) elections, claiming the Congress has failed to redress their grievances during their 21-year tenure.

Addressing an election meeting at New Shimla area, he alleged the town, which was world famous from the tourism point of view, had been turned into a ''ghetto'' and the Congress has failed in providing even the basic amenities.

Mr Kumar urged the electorate to vote against the Congress and for change, saying his party would ensure a clean and a green town besides improving its infrastructure.

Referring to the rising prices of essential commodities in the country, he said while the prices were going up, the farmers were not being given remunerative prices following which over 10,000 of them had committed suicide in the country.

He said the Congress should recognise that the winds of change were blowing as shown in the assembly elections in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

State party president Jai Ram Thakur, MP Suresh Bhardwaj and party general secretary Khushi Ram Balnahatha were also present on the occasion.

In another party release, state president of the BJP's Mahila Morcha Roopa Sharma claimed that the party would win elections to the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections.

The people of the town have decided to vote against the Congress, which was responsible for creating mess in the town, she added.

UNI