Hindustan Times (Bathinda)

Fear of defeat visible in BJP: CM

- HT Correspond­ent letterschd@hindustant­imes.com

DHARAMSHAL­A/SHIMLA: Chiefminis­ter Virbhadra Singh on Thursday took a dig at the BJP, stating that“the fear of defeat was visible on the saffron party’s leader”.

Addressing an election rally at Sinhuta in Bhattiyat assembly segment of Ch a mb a district, Virbhadra Singh said ,“Ihavec ontested many elections in my life. However, I have never seen so much panic in the BJP before.” “The fear of defeat is clearly visible ont heir(BJ Pleaders ’) faces ,” he added.

The chief minister said that the B JP leader was so anxious that all its central leaders have jumped into the poll campaign.

“They are even forced to hold rallies of Prime Minister Narender Modi,” said Virbhadra. The 83-year-old star campaigner of the Congress party said“nothing would work for the BJP” and the Congress will repeat government in Himachal.

He also predicted a defeat for the BJP in Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Na render Modi, which is going to polls in December. Vi rb had ra Sing hal so addressed election rallies in Jawali and Indora assembly segment of Kangra district.

SURJEWALA ATTACKS MODI

The Congress party also questioned Prime Minister Na rend ra Modi on the promises made before the 2014 elections.

Party spokespers­on Randeep Singh Surjewala said Modi had promised many things but even after winning all four seats, people are still awaiting for these to be fulfilled.

In a press conference held here on Thursday, he said, “Modi has only bhashan( speech) noshasan (governance)”.

Modi government has remained callous towards the hill states. “Virbhadra government kept asking for special-status funding from the centre but Mo di government did not pay heed to this demand,” he said.

“On April 29, 2014, Modi promised that his government would strengthen the rail network from Chandigarh to Ladakh and even after 41 months, the rain ministry says they have no such plan ,” said the Congress spokespers­on.

The party also questioned the BJP on why the import duty on apple was not enhanced. “On April 29, Modi also promised to enhance the import duty on apple. But there is nothing concrete so far,” he said.

Surejwala dubbed the demonetisa­tion as a ‘ wellplanne­d loot’.

“Demonetisa­tion is a Modimaded isaster. It has snatched the livelihood­s of people of the country,” he added.

He also questioned, “Why is the Prime Minister not revealing how much black money has been brought back to India so far and how effective demo net is at ion has been in curbing black money.”

Congress also blamed the Mo di government for implementi­ng GS Tina has ty manner .“G ST has seven slabs. The BJP government messed up GST, leaving traders in difficult situation,” he added.

I have contested many elections in my life. However, I have never seen so much panic in the Bharatiya Janata Party before. VIRBHADRA SINGH, chief minister

 ??  ?? Congress national spokespers­on Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing the media in Shimla on Thursday. DEEPAK SANSTA/HT
Congress national spokespers­on Randeep Singh Surjewala addressing the media in Shimla on Thursday. DEEPAK SANSTA/HT

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