Cong govt tapping phone of MLAs for Rajya Sabha election: Jairam Thakur

Shimla, Feb 26

Constant pressure is being put on MLAs by the present government, especially the Chief Minister and the central leaders of the Congress Party alleged Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur of the Bhartiya Janata Party Himachal Pradesh, while addressing the press conference.

Under democratic system, MLAs are elected representatives and have the right to vote whom they deem appropriate, but the process is being effected by putting pressure on the MLAs, he alleged.

He said that the Chief Minister in the meeting with the MLAs said that it is mandatory that when the vote is cast, they will have to show it to the authorized agent of their party.  The Chief Minister said that if any member does cross voting the vote will be termed invalid.

The Leader of Opposition said that the Authorized Election Agent can only look at the vote but has no power to invalidate it.

Further the LOP alleged that on one hand the law-and-order situation of the State is detoriating but the State police is busy taping phones and location of MLAs.

While referring to the murder case this morning of the Shimla Mall road he stated that the surprising thing is that the murderer has escaped after committing the crime but the police are not able to nab him so far. Despite having the CCTV footage, no concrete action has been taken yet, he alleged.

He said that that a 21-year-old young boy was murdered in front of the Shimla Police reporting room, due to which there is a lot of anger and resentment in the entire state.

He also referred to the alleged life threat to Congress party MLA from Dharamshala Sudhir Sharma and said that the threat was received over a call.  Sharma spoke to the DGP and the Chief Minister, but will the government take any cognizance in this regard, questioned Thakur.

He even brought to light the brawl which took place in Bilaspur wherein former Congress MLA was beaten up.  Leader of Opposition said in the press conference that the law-and-order situation in Himachal Pradesh is worry some. The way government and power are being used to pressurise for the Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh is not appropriate.