Virus scare in political circles of Himachal

PRECAUTIONS EX-CMS Shanta Kumar, PK Dhumal in self quarantine; state BJP chief in home quarantine; guv cancels meets

SHIMLA:: Amid rise in Covid-19 infections and state power minister Sukhram Chaudhary testing positive for the virus, most political leaders in Himachal Pradesh have gone into self quarantine as a precautionary measure.

Sukhram Chaudhary, his two daughters and a personal security officer had tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. Chaudhary shared the news on social media and urged people who came in his direct contact to quarantine themselves and get tested. The Shimla district authorities have sealed his government residence and started contact tracing.

Former chief ministers and BJP leaders Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar along with their family and staff self quarantined themselves, a day after newly-elected state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Suresh Kashyap had met them on his way to Dharamshala. On Friday, Kashyap went into home quarantine since he had recently visited Nahan along with the power minister.

“By the grace of God my Covid-19 report is negative. Still, I have decided to remain in home quarantine. I apologise if I have caused inconvenience to anyone,” Kashyap wrote in a Facebook post. His staff has also been quarantined.

Kashyap had reached Dharamshala on Thursday and was scheduled to preside over a meeting of Dehra block unit of the BJP on Friday. He had met senior party leaders including Prem Kumar Dhumal, Shanta

Kumar and former state party chief Satpal Singh Satti on his way to Dharamshala.

The Raj Bhawan has also cancelled all engagements and appointments of governor Bandaru Dattatreya.

The decision was taken as a precautionary measure. Sukhram Chaudhary had taken oath as the cabinet minister on July 30. The oath was administrated by the governor and as many as 50 guests, including chief minister Jai Ram Thakur, other cabinet ministers and government officials were present at the ceremony .

Chaudhary had later addressed a press conference along with chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and two newly appointed ministers and also attended the cabinet meeting.