Himachal Vidhan Sabha Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar and Technical Education Minister Ram Lal Markanda have tested positive for Covid-19. They gave this information through their social media accounts.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had tested positive for the virus on Monday. Ram Lal is the fifth Minister, including Chief Minister and the 13th MLA in the 68-member state Assembly to have contracted the virus.
In a post on social media on Wednesday, the Speaker said that he has tested positive and isolated himself at home as per doctor’s adviser. Ram Lal in his post on social media said he has tested positive as he had developed some symptoms after coming in contact with a Covid-19 patient. “I have isolated myself at my official residence on doctor’s advice,” he said.
Earlier, Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj had tested positive for the Coronavirus on October 7. Power Minister Sukhram Chaudhary and Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur had also tested positive for Covid-19. Both the Ministers have recovered from the disease. BJP MLA from Banjar, Surender Shourie had tested positive for COVID-19 on October 2.
Notably, after Shourie was tested positive, a political controversy had erupted in Himachal with opposition Congress questioning how the BJP MLA was allowed to attend the inauguration of Atal Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 3.
Meanwhile, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has wished a speedy recovery to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who is in home quarantine after being tested positive for COVID-19.
In a letter written to the Chief Minister, the Nobel Peace Laureate said, “I pray for your speedy recovery and hope we may see an early end to challenges that Covid-19 pandemic represents as they pose a threat to every nation across the world.” The Chief Minister has thanked the Dalai Lama for his good wishes. Thakur had tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.