Dhumal calls for early assembly polls in Himachal

Shimla, July 29: Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal yesterday called for snap assembly polls in the state, saying that the state Congress government had failed to live up to the expectations of the people of the state.

''The government should call for early elections following its none to impressive four and a half years in office which had been marked by widespread corruption and all round failure,'' he told a private media news channel here.

Mr Dhumal was reacting to a sting operation by a news channel, which showed state Transport and Tourism Minister G S Bali in a party at Dharamshala on Thursday night, where in scantily clad girls danced to the tunes of popular Hindi film songs.

Mr Bali's presence at such a party proves beyond doubt that the Congress had over the years drifted away from the common man and was busy filling their own coffers, besides indulging in parties like these, he said.

Referring to the Mumbai Blast held in 2003, he said the party has consistently been demanding an independent probe into it and the amount of money collected by organising the programme, which was similar to the one held at Dharamshala a few days ago.

He alleged that an emergency like situation was prevailing in the state for the last four and a half years as proved by the snapping of power, cable and telephone lines in Kangra town and a few areas of the state following the telecast of the ''indecent party''.

Mr Dhumal, who was recently elected to the Lok Sabha from Hamirpur Parliamentary seat, expressed surprise over the minister's conduct and said morality demands that he should resign from the Cabinet.

Referring to widespread corruption in the state during the last four and a half years, he said ever since the Congress took over the power in 2003, corruption has reached alarming proportions.

UNI