Dhawan rules out any change in HP government leadership

Shimla July 9 (UNI) Congress today ruled out any change in the Himachal Pradesh government leadership following the party's defeat in the Hamirpur Parliamentary by-polls.

Talking to mediapersons here, Congress Working Committee member R K Dhawan, party incharge for Himachal Pradesh, said though it was unfortunate that Congress lost the by-poll but such elections usually go against the ruling party in any government.

Besides, no legislator had demanded any change in the state party leadership, he said.

Replying to a question about early assembly polls in the state, he said there was no chance of elections being held before February next year when they were due.

Mr Dhawan credited Virbhadra Singh Government for ushering in development and said the majority of the promises made in the election manifesto had been fulfilled.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was also present on the occasion, asserted that his government had acted against corruption and the former chairman of the subordinated selection board had been sentenced in three cases.

Referring to the corruption charges against him and some of his cabinet ministers, Mr Singh said these were mere allegations without any evidence.

In this context, he asked suspended Congress MLA V S Mankotia to come out with any incriminating material, which he had been threatening to do for quite sometime now.

Mr Mankotia was suspended for his involvement in releasing an audio CD containing conversation allegedly involving the Chief Minister for negotiating an illegal money deal.

''If prima facie any case is made out against anyone, the state government will take action,'' the Chief Minister asserted.

UNI