CM challenges VHP, says there is no ‘love jihad’ in HP

Drini (Dharamsala, Himachal) – There are no cases of ‘love jihad’ in Himachal. People who are talking of ‘love jihad’ are trying to mislead the common man.

This was stated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh while addressing a rally at Kaliara village in the Shahpur Assembly constituency today. The CM said: “I challenge those taking up the issue to give one example of ‘love jihad’ in Himachal. The population of Muslims and Christians is less than 1 per cent in Himachal and they are respectable and law-abiding citizens of the state.”

Virbhadra also took on a section of the media, who termed the slogans written at a building of the ESI medical college in Mandi, as treason against the country. He said: “It is an individual act and who knows the people who are talking of ‘love jihad’ might have done this mischief?” He said such statements could vitiate the atmosphere of the country.

CM praises Pathania, Mankotia absent

The CM today carried out an extensive tour of the Shahpur Assembly constituency. All programmes were organised by Forest Corporation vice-chairman Kewal Singh Pathania.

However, Vijai Singh Mankotia, vice-chairman of the Tourism Development Board, who contested the last election from the Shahpur Assembly constituency, was absent from all programmes of the CM. He was also attacked by certain speakers. Sources said Mankotia was peeved at the fact that the programmes in Shahpur were organised without taking him into confidence.

The CM conceded to almost all demands raised by Kewal Singh Pathania. In the first programme of the CM held at Drini, the CM announced the opening of sub-tehsil on the demand of Pathania.

He also announced the construction of science block at Government Senior Secondary School, Drini; opening of veterinary hospital at Drini and upgrading middle school of Baral village to high school.

BJP MLA from Shahpur, Sarween Chaudhary, was also present at the CM’s function in Drini.

In Kaliara, where Kewal Singh Pathania had organised a rally, the CM announced a Primary Health Centre (PHC), 10 tube wells and 50 hand pumps for the Shahpur Assembly constituency.

The CM said he liked organising rallies in rural areas of the state.

He said the Congress had given statehood to Himachal and at that time the BJP had opposed it. He said the Congress was responsible for development in the country. The Congress finished zamindari system in the country that finished the thousands of year old tradition and gave tilling rights to the poor and farmers.

“In the last election, the BJP got the benefit of recession that was prevailing in the entire world. Now, I hope that the Union Government will do justice with Himachal in terms of giving financial grant,” he said.

Kewal Singh Pathania termed himself as a ‘loyalist’ of Virbhadra Singh.

He said earlier caste politics was played in the Shahpur Assembly constituency. However, the politics of development was taking over, he added.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education GS Bali, who had been missing for the past two days, was also present in CM’s rally in Kaliara.

Minister for Town and Country Planning Sudhir Sharma and former MP and chairman of OBC Finance Corporation Chander Kumar were among others present with the CM today.

Source : Tribune India