‘No bickering in party, issue was created by the media’

What is your biggest challenge this time apart from the graft cases?

The challenge is achieving targets of equitable development of the state. That has always been a pressure. There are some pin-pricks but I ignore them. My foremost priority is the welfare of the people.

Opposition parties are targeting your government over law and order, especially after the rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Kotkhai.

Himachal is a peaceful state. It was sad that such an incident occurred. BJP and CPI(M) tried to blow it out of proportion for political gains and to achieve cheap publicity. Prompt action was taken and arrests were made. Our police was competent enough... Yet, on the demand of people, I wrote a letter to PM Modi for referring the investigations to CBI.

Your opponents in the party have upped their ante.

There is no dearth of young people who can hold the reins of state. There are many competent young people in the party. There is no bickering... the issue was flared up by the media unnecessarily.

What is your take on allegations that you promoted your son Vikramaditya?

He is an able young man and entered politics on his own strength. Unlike others, he was elected president of state youth Congress, not nominated. On the contrary, it was leader of opposition (PK Dhumal) who promoted his son (Anurag Thakur) and made him president of HPCA and also MP. My son will find his own way, he is competent to do so.

What do you have to say about BJP’s slogan “CM on bail, officers in jail and state on sale”?

It shows the narrow-mindedness of people who said it. It is a fact that cases were politically motivated against me by few like-minded persons in the state BJP leadership. On the contrary, the slogan fits PK Dhumal (HP on sale).