BJP only viable alternative to Congress, says Shanta Kumar

Hamirpur, Aug 6 (UNI) Former union minister and senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar today doubted the emergence of BSP led third front as a viable alternative to the Congress in the state, saying only BJP could fill the gap.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the emergence of BSP would not have any affect in the state, since the political situation in Uttar Pradesh, where the BSP had come to power, and Himachal Pradesh was quite different.

Mr Kumar said the BSP had succeeded in spreading the rumour in UP that both the SP and BJP were coming closer and that led to the BJP's defeat in the elections.

Here in Himachal the BJP would form the government on its own with support from the electorate who had already seen its past performance, he said.

Referring to the reservation to the economic poor among the higher castes, he said there was no question of granting reservation to anyone who had already crossed the creamy layer.

The Antodaya programme, launched by the party way back in 1977, had helped in bringing down the poverty line by almost 10 per cent over the last few days, he claimed.

The BJP leader criticised the successive governments in continuing the scheme, which was not implemented effectively.

Talking about the next Vidhan Sabha elections in the state, he said the Congress has been exposed ahead of the election with both the Chief Minister and one of his most trusted minister under a cloud.

''The Bali episode has completely exposed the Congress and its defeat is imminent after the next elections and the BJP will form the next government in the state,'' he added.

UNI