With political war between Virbhadra Singh and leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal getting murkier over corruption charges, BJP veteran Shanta Kumar had a word of caution saying that the war against corruption should not turn into war between two families.
Kumar was speaking after he led the protest campaign ‘Virbhadra Hatao-Pradesh Bachao’ of the BJP at Dharamshala. Maintaining that the continuous protests in the State were bringing a bad name to the State, Shanta Kumar said that the real issues concerning the people of the State have got buried in these verbal duels.
“The war against corruption of BJP should not become just war between two families, as the real issues of the people are getting buried amid escalating tension,” said Kumar. On a reply to a question that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is lavishing all praises on him in every public meeting, the BJP veteran said that the two were leaders of older generation and never brought politics to such a low level.
He called for zero tolerance against corruption and said the charges against Virbhadra Singh were of serious nature and he should step downimmediately on moral grounds. “Virbhadra has no right to stay on thepost and should immediately resign as allegations against him are veryserious,” he added.
He said the income tax department has already initiated inquiry against Virbhadra and if he refuses to resign Congress high command should remove him from the post. On asked for his stoic silence on charges of corruption against Chief minister, he said he was out of station.
Commenting on the fresh revelation in the vigilance probe against Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) in which name of former chief minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal’s name has cropped for first time, Shanta Kumar said the current Government was raking pointless issues.
“If they have proof, they should inquire into the matter and if someone of us has done wrong, we are ready for any punishment,” said Shanta Kumar adding that the issues now the Government is raising are all bundle of lies and is in reaction to graft allegations against chief minister.
Shanta Kumar said the Congress after coming into power had raised muchhue and cry over phone tapping issue. “If it was really done why the incumbent Government is shying away from revealing the names of the people, whose phone calls were tapped” asked Shanta adding that this was just a baseless allegation to sensitise a non issue.