Hindustan Times (Jalandhar)

Winds of change will reach HP: Modi

PM asks voters to overthrow ‘corrupt’ Cong regime in upcoming assembly polls

- Gaurav Bisht gaurav.bisht@hindustant­imes.com

SHIMLA: Setting the tone for the assembly elections slated for later this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made an appeal to the Himachal Pradesh voters to overthrow the “corrupt” Congress regime in the state.

Referring to the favourable mandate for the BJP in the recently concluded assembly elections in various states and municipal polls in Delhi, Modi said: “Winds of change have started blowing in the country.”

He was addressing a gathering at Shimla’s Ridge Maidan after flagging off a flight from Shimla to New Delhi, the first such venture under a government scheme to popularise regional air travel, at the Jubbarhatt­i airport.

“Earlier when there was chill in the air, people talked about the advancing winters in Himachal. But now the winds of change have started blowing from Uttarakhan­d and Uttar Pradesh... Ab to log Delhi ki taazi hawa bhi mahsoos kar rhe hai (Now, people are even experienci­ng the fresh air blowing from Delhi),” he said.

Seeking people’s cooperatio­n for weeding out corruption, Modi also attacked chief minister Virbhadra Singh.

“I have not seen any chief minister in the country who spent so much time dealing with court cases,” he said.

“I have always believed that honest people in the country should get a chance. Himachal is also awaiting an era of honesty,” he said, adding the young generation was no longer ready to compromise with corruption.

“I know certain sections of people, particular­ly black money hoarders, are not happy with me. They are always looking for an opportunit­y to pin me down. But I am aware that common man supports me in my drive against corruption,” he said.

Earlier, the PM also laid the foundation stone of a hydro-engineerin­g college at Bilaspur from the Jubbarhatt­i airport.

 ?? DEEPAK SANSTA/HT ?? BJP leaders honouring PM Modi during the ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Shimla on Thursday.
DEEPAK SANSTA/HT BJP leaders honouring PM Modi during the ‘Parivartan Rally’ in Shimla on Thursday.

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