Shimla, Sept 12,
The onus of promoting allegedly illegal shrine construction in Shimla town, seems now falling on the previous BJP government. The state’s Council of Ministers accused the former Jai Ram Thakur government of providing an amount tottalling to Rs 12 lakh for the construction of a shrine in Sanjauli, located on the outskirts of Shimla.
Addressing media persons in Shimla on Thursday, Public Works Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh accused the BJP of using the illegal mosque construction and the agitation against it in the town to gain electoral mileage in the Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls.
Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, who was recently criticized for his remarks on the mosque’s construction, stated today that he had verified information showing that Rs 2 lakh was sanctioned from the planning budget, and a total of Rs 12 lakh was given for the construction of the mosque in Sanjouli during the BJP regime.
Anirudh Singh added that the BJP would now face scrutiny over how it plans to gain mileage from this issue, considering it was behind the illegal construction during its previous rule.
Interestingly, a letter is also making rounds on social media displaying that the former local MLA recommended transferring an Imam to be deputed to the Sanjauli mosque during the BJP’s rule.
The local BJP units have not responded to the mosque controversy so far, but they are accusing the Congress government of mishandling the issue. However, the party has shown sympathy for the protesters who suffered injuries and faced water cannons during the protest against the mosque’s construction.
Updated at 1734
In a rebuttal over the allegations former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has stated, ” the Congress minister wants to blame us for their failure by telling outright lies.” Adding,” He is afraid of the displeasure of the Delhi high command and is changing his statement. After the statement given in the Vidhan Sabha, there is heavy pressure on him from the Congress high command. The high command has given clear instructions to the Chief Minister to remove him from the post of minister. Sukhu government wants to do damage control by getting him to give baseless statements. He is being made to make baseless allegations. That is why the minister is blaming the BJP.”
Jairam Thakur called all the allegations of Himachal government minister Anirudh Singh baseless. Congress is adopting such tactics to hide its failure. The Chief Minister, the government ministers and the Congress party have all been completely exposed in the Sanjauli mosque case, stated the former CM.
Noteworthy that the issue of illegal construction in Shimla, where more than 34,000 illegal structures have been raised over the last 20 years—many of which are shrines built in vulnerable places like nullahs and water bodies on government and forest lands—may take center stage. The Shimla Municipal Commissioner office may take a serious view of illegal constructions, including shrines belonging to any community.
Noteworthy that in the recent times MC Commissioner has ordered demolition or removal of illegal constructions in the town that were built without following bylaws or obtaining approval from the competent authorities.
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