BJP to gherao HP Vidhan Sabha, says BJP

Shimla, July 16 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today said it would gherao the state Vidhan Sabha during the monsoon session following the state Congress Government's failure to check corruption, unemployment and rising prices of essential commodities.

Addressing a press conference here, party's state general secretary Khushi Ram Balnata said the party had decided to highlight the government's failure on these three issues by holding a protest outside the state assembly.

The BJP was ready for an early assembly elections and the recently concluded party state executive committee meet at Dharamshala in Kangra district had chalked out a strategy for this, he said.

Mr Balnata said the concluding session was chaired by party president Rajnath Singh and a separate resolution on the issue on rampant corruption was passed during the conclave.

Referring to the move by three Congress MLA's for holding elections to the seats of Kinnaur, Bharmaur and Lahaul-Spiti before the onset of winter season, he said their intentions were doubtful.

The Chief Minister could easily seek dissolution of the House to hold simultaneous elections on all 68 assembly seats as early as possible, he said.

The BJP's leader said with the Congress not going for a simultaneous election on all seats, the intentions of tribal congress MLAs approaching the High Court were suspect as they were only trying to confuse the people.

Referring to widespread corruption in the state, he said new issues were coming to light every day.

A fact finding committee headed party leader ID Dhiman had been asked to submit a report about irregularities in construction of the five story Dharmsala bus stand, by end of the month, he said.

Alleging that construction work on the project was continuing despite a Supreme Court order, he said besides the Union Environment Ministry had directed that the structure be pulled down because the forest land approved was not being used for the purpose it was intended.

As far as the contents of the CD, released by suspended Congress leader Vijai Singh Mankotia, were concerned, he said the party's campaign had been successful with the Congress rule set to come to an end after the next assembly elections.

UNI