BSP seeks EC directive against three IAS officers

Shimla, Oct 16 (UNI) The BSP today said it will seek Election Commission's directive against deputing three senior IAS officers very close to state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in the poll duties as they could influence the elections.

It would ask the Commission not to depute three IAS officers T C Janartha, Subhash Ahluwalia and T G Negi in poll related duties since all of them are close to the Chief Minister, BSP's convenor Vijai Singh Mankotia said here.

Addressing a press conference here, he said besides being close to the CM, they could attempt to, in one way or the other, influence the polls, have amassed wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

A detailed inquiry should also be ordered against them for amassing huge wealth, Mr Mankotia said.

Welcoming the two-phase election schedule in the state, he urged the Election Commission not to make any changes in the polling dates, saying assembly and parliamentary elections in the past had been held during the winters.

Referring to the state Congress party's efforts to get the polling dates changed, he said it was an indication that it has accepted its defeat in the ensuing assembly elections.

''Congress has lost the fight even before the battle has begun,'' he said.

The BSP leader said Congress was afraid of facing the people as they had betrayed their faith by not keeping the promises made to them.

Himachal has witnessed phenomenal rise in the prices of essential commodities, huge unemployment among the educated and large-scale corruption during the Congress regime, he said.

Alleged that the Congress led UPA Government had neglected the interests of Himachal, he said now one knows about the Rs 4,000 crore financial package announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his only tour of the state.

''According to my information, the state has received only Rs 48 crore.'' Levelling serious allegations of corruption against Congress leaders, Mr Mankotia demanded an inquiry into assets of top party leaders and said foreign tours of Congress legislators and MP's should be looked into besides inquiring details of their banks accounts in foreign counties.

He accused the successive state governments of Congress and the BJP of being insensitive towards fulfilling the basic needs of people.

UNI