Politics heats up in Himachal as VB seeks nod to probe Cong leaders

Vigilance wants to inquire into BJP allegations against ex-ministers GS Bali and Kaul Singh

SHIMLA: Ahead of the civic body polls in Himachal, its anti-corruption and vigilance bureau seeking permission to investigate a chargesheet, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had submitted against then Congress regime, has caused political temperatures to rise in the hill state.

The vigilance recently sought a go-ahead to inquire about the allegations mentioned in the said charge sheet against two Congress bigwigs – former ministers G S Bali and Kaul Singh Thakur.

When the BJP was in the opposition, it had submitted a 75-page chargesheet against then Congress regime demanding a probe into various allegations.

After taking over the reins, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur had put the chargesheet on the back burner announcing that he was averse to vendetta politics. However, now with the elections to the four municipal corporations around the corner, the CM’s nod for vigilance probe has once again generated political heat in the hill state.

Thakur, who holds the home portfolio, said he has only asked the vigilance to gather the facts around the chargesheet.

“Right now, no inquiry is being held against anyone. I have asked the vigilance just to ascertain the allegations,” the CM said on the sidelines of an event at government-run Hotel Peterhoff in Shimla.

On the other hand, Congress leaders have scaled up attacks on the ruling BJP. They have termed the state government’s latest move a ploy to divert attention ahead of the municipal corporation elections. “Who is afraid of the inquiries? Whatever tactics the BJP government adopts, our focus

will remain on the MC polls,” said former transport minister G S Bali, who is the party observer for the polls in Mandi town.

State Congress chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore claimed that the move was aimed at harassing their leaders. “The CM is back to basics and is targeting Congress leaders, particularly those at the forefront of the MC election campaign,” he said.

CM Jai Ram Thakur is back to basics and is targeting Congress leaders, particularly those at the forefront of the MC election campaign in the state KULDEEP SINGH RATHORE, Himachal Congress president