Now, race to claim credit over smart tag

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 23

Soon after the capital city figured among the top 90 smart cities today, the game of credit and blame among political parties has began.

It is after a long struggle that Shimla won the smart city tag, said former Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan. “I congratulate citizens and credit goes to people of Shimla and the Municipal Corporation as both Congress and Centre created hurdles. But we made it to the list of smart city this time,” he added.

Shimla was left behind in the race to Dharamsala in the round second as the Congress government, under the State Urban Department, fudged facts and deserted Shimla, the CPM charged. Shimla is ranked 15th and is behind two cities of region - Srinagar 10th, Karnal 12th, but is ranked ahead of Dehradun (16th) and Jammu (21st).

On the other hand, BJP Shimla legislator and chief whip in the Vidhan Sabha Suresh Bhardwaj gave credit to the residents of Shimla and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu for selecting Shimla as a smart city.

Despite hurdles created by the Congress government and the lethargy of the CPM, which ruled the Shimla MC, this was a gift from Prime Minister to the residents of Shimla for reposing faith in the BJP in the MC elections, Bhardwaj claimed, taking a dig at the CPM and the Congress.

Pat on their back

• “I congratulate citizens and credit goes to people of Shimla and the Municipal Corporation as both Congress and Centre created hurdles. But we made it to the list of Smart City this time,” said former Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan. 
• On the other hand, BJP Shimla legislator Suresh Bhardwaj gave the credit to the residents of Shimla and thanked PM Narendra Modi and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu for selecting Shimla as a Smart City.