Fighting behind BJPs demand for early elections, says Congress

Shimla, July 18 (UNI) Terming the BJP's demand for early assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh as unjustified and undemocratic, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) General Secretary and spokesman Kuldeep Singh Rathore today asked the BJP leaders to explain the reason behind their demand for early elections.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said the BJP was in a state of ''hangover'' after winning the Hamirpur Lok Sabha by-polls.

''The BJP is in an illusion that it is going to emerge victorious in the coming assembly elections. If BJP is confident of winning the assembly elections then they should announce the name of the leader,'' he asserted.

Mr Rathore said the BJP was suffering from infighting and were racking the issue of early assembly elections to divert the attention of the public from their infighting.

Referring to suspended Congress leader Vijai Singh Mankotia's decision to join the BSP, the Congress leader said he along with Mr Vijay Joshi and Mr Kewal Patania have joined the BSP because of its spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the political scenario in Himachal is entirely different from UP, he said.

He said the Congress party had provided enough time for the suspended party leader to explain his position before the national disciplinary committee.

''If he himself wants to leave Congress then we can't stop him.'' Mr Rathore said efforts of cobbling together a third front in Himachal would be a futile exercise as third front has always been unsuccessful in the state.

Mr Mankotia and his followers were hoping to win the assembly elections by exploiting Dalits of the state, but they have always remained with the Congress, he added.

UNI