‘HP govt misleading people on AIIMS’

HAMIRPUR:FORMER Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Monday slammed the Congress government, accusing it of misleading people in the name of All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS).

“The statements of Congress leaders about setting up of AIIMS are contrary to facts. AIIMS was the baby of the BJP and it will become a full-fledged institution under its regime,” Dhumal said in a statement here on Saturday.

He added: “The BJP has been trying for such an institution in the state and Bilaspur was one of the most appropriate places for the same. It was selected and the foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister.”

The senior BJP leader said, “Congress leaders should clarify where they were for the last three years when the Centre was asking for the land for the project. The party has not been interested for the project and when it was going to become a reality, they issued statements to save face.”

The BJP leader claimed that whatever projects came to the state during last three years were the creation of the BJP. “The Congress had nothing to do with that,” he said.

“Congress had not spent even a single penny given to them by the Bjp-led central government for various projects. People of the state wanted to teach Congress a lesson and that is why party leaders are busy in laying foundation stones,” Dhumal added.