Defamation case filed against Mankotia, says CM

Shimla, Nov 27 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said he had filed a defamation case against BSP's state convenor Vijai Singh Mankotia for releasing a fabricated CD, which had tarnished his image.

''I have filed a case against Mr Mankotia for releasing a fabricated audio CD, which has tarnished my image,'' he said at a press conference here.

Mr Singh dared the BSP leader to follow his threats and release any more CDs about him and said the release of the CD had hurt his honesty and integrity, which he cherished.

''I am ready to face it,'' he asserted.

Terming Mr Mankotia as the leader on the run, he said he was in the habit of changing parties at the drop of a hat.

Expressing confidence that the party would return to power after the next assembly polls, the chief minister said the Congress would win enough seats to form the next government.

He said the party, which was preparing for the State Assembly Elections from the last one and half years, was taken aback by the announcement of the EC, which did not hold any confabulations with the government over the poll dates.

However, the party was not surprised over the dates, he added.

UNI