Shimla, Apr 8
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur stated today that the result of the four Municipal Corporations polls held yesterday should not be considered complete rout of ruling party, as Congress and section of media are showcasing. Defending loss of party in Palampur and Solan MC poll, Thakur said that it should not be considered semifinal of upcoming by-election or Vidhan Sabha Election for state in 2022.
He said that Dharmshala MC which was earlier with Congress was wrestled by the ruling party and it emerged dominant in the yesterday election. Party has succeeded to get support of a rebel in Dharmshala to achieve complete majority, besides in Mandi, party got absolute majority, Thakur added.
“Party would also intersect about the debacle of party candidate in Solan and Palampur soon as the possibility of allotment of party ticket and spoilsport played by the rebels would be looked into.” Thakur said.
Replying to a query about loss of party at Palampur after release of former BJP stalwart’s Shanta Kumar autobiography, Chief Minister said that people didn’t bother about the write however the Congress party seemed to have succeeded in swaying people by creating a scare about the heavy taxation charges due to upgradation of the township as new MC. Even though the opposition had made it a poll issue, He said that now they (Congress party) would be in affix as to whether the should to continue Palampur as MC or not, as after winning election the party in power could now demand to declare the township as Municipal Council.
Defending Govt’s move to declare Solan, Mandi and Palampur as new MCs and having elections on party symbols, Chief Minister said that it was necessary to upgrade the township for purpose of planned development as the new master plan would be announced soon for each civic body.
Responding about not gaining finality of the Shimla MC interim Development Plan 1978 since a long time despite NGT orders passed, Chief Minister said that Govt is trying to its best however he also blamed the previous Congress rule for the prolonged delay. Chief Minister said that Modi Government has brought Shimla and Dharmshala under Smart City project to ensure its development however the excessive construction left no scope of further development in Shimla and on the other hand Government could not order to pull down or demolition of existing structures.
Refuting allegations of discrimination other Assembly segment vis a vis Siraj and Dharmpur in the state Thakur said BJP (rebel) MLA Anil Sharma is trying to divert attention from his lost public support by blaming the ruling party for such discrimination.
We have inaugurated development works worth Rs 3500 Cr in 44 Assembly segments of the state during lock down last year without discrimination, as development project tunes to Rs 200 to Rs 300 Cr were launched in the every assembly segment. Not naming the party legislator Anil Sharma over above allegations CM said that party have started development work worth Rs 200 Cr in Mandi Assembly.
He said that there are no dearth of Covid Vaccine in the state however active cases crossed more than 4000 in short time is cause of concern for the government.
We would discuss about fresh restrictions in council of ministers meeting tomorrow however no order could be issued to restrain the footfall of tourist as massive impact of last lockdown derailed the hospitality industry, hotels and state Tourism Economy, he added.
