To defeat me, Modi has sent an army of his ministers, yogis: Virbhadra
MANDI:CHIEF minister Virbhadra Singh in an address to a rally at Bhangrotu area of Balh here on Sunday said, "To defeat me and the Congress in the state, the Prime Minister Modi has sent an army of yogis (saints) to Himachal Pradesh. Most of these are saint-turned-politicians. Anyhow, I welcome these saints to the land of Gods.”
He said the BJP high command is so restless and panic-stricken over their forthcoming defeat in the state that they not only sent yogis but also a team of Central ministers and asked them to bow possibly at each voter’s door in the state. “People are aware of BJP’S true nature and will support the Congress. The Central government’s unpopular policies have only worsened the inflation and unemployment situation. The people of the state are ready to teach BJP a lesson,” said Singh. SHIMLA: On the campaign trail to win the hill state for the Congress and get a seventh term as chief minister, Virbhadra Singh, 83, acknowledges the battle with the BJP will be tough. The veteran, however, is confident the Congress will retain power. Taking on the opposition BJP’S strategy to corner him on corruption charges, and law and order — especially the rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Kotkhai — Singh tells Gaurav Bisht he will retire from electoral politics after one more tenure. Excerpts: It’s not a battle between me and Modi. BJP is targeting me because I am the most prominent leader.
Your son Vikramaditya Singh is making his electoral debut from Shimlarural seat. How do you view the accusations that you are promoting dynastic politics?
I belong to a dynasty (royal family) and where is the problem in that? People elect me. Vikram is a young boy and sure to win.
What keeps you going at this age? Is this your last election?
Today communication is advanced and traversing has become easy... I will retire from electoral politics after completing
one more tenure.
Will the rebels in the fray harm Congress prospects?
They are not rebels but rubble (smiles)...it’s just that everyone has aspirations.