Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, AICC in-charge for Himachal Sushil Kumar Shinde and co-in-charge Ranjeeta Ranjan together on Friday reached Mandi to review arrangements in connection with visit of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, who will address a rally here on Saturday.
The three leaders held simultaneous meetings with party workers and Government functionaries and issued necessary directions regarding arrangements.
The rally is expected to launch the election campaign of the Congress in the poll bound State and follows that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bilaspur earlier this week.
After landing at Paddal ground, the venue of the rally in Mandi, Singh, Shinde and Ranjan inspected the venue and gave necessary direction to make ‘Vikas Se Vijay’ rally a success.
The Chief Minister met Shinde at Apple Valley resort in Kullu after conclusion of Dusshera festival from where they flew to Mandi together from Bhuntar airport.
Earlier, addressing the concluding ceremony of the International Kullu Dusshera festival at Kullu, he said Congress was known for upholding the spirit of true democracy and secularism.
“We consider people of all religion alike and not differentiate unlike the BJP. We believe in joining hands and not breaking the bonds of love and fraternity. India is a secular state and Congress believes in respecting all religions and Congressmen do not have fanatic mindset," he said.
The Chief Minister said Congress Government has always worked for development and welfare of people of the State.
Singh said he is often criticised by the BJP for opening educational institutions, but that never altered his motive of providing education available to every child at their very door steps. "BJP was known for de-notifying educational institutes and Congress believed in spreading light of education in every nook and corner of the state," he added.
He said, the Government has also given added priority to health sector. "Out of three new medical colleges, two medical colleges at Chamba and Nahan have been made functional and forest clearance was awaited for construction of medical college at Hamirpur. The land for AIIMS, foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister has already been provided by the state government, irrespective of claim of BJP in this matter," he added.
Singh said the government has given adequate land much before for the reputed health institution, but its foundation stone was much delayed.