Pathania, Mahajan join CM’s rallies, Bali stays away

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Matour (Dharamsala),

January 9

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today addressed rallies in various parts of the district, including Dari near Dharamsala, Kangra and the Lanj areas, as part of his winter sojourn programme in Kangra district.

Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister for Agriculture and Power, and Congress MLA from Nurpur Ajay Mahajan, who had earlier been away from his functions, were also present. The presence of both leaders was used to dispel the notion that the dissident camp had gained strength.

However, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Transport and Technical Education GS Bali was not present in the rallies. Sources said Bali left for Delhi today.

The Chief Minister announced two more government colleges in Kangra district. He announced a government college at Lanj in the Shahpur Assembly constituency and Takipur in Kangra.

The college at Takipur was announced at the request of independent MLA from Kangra Pawan Kajal. Kajal organised an impressive rally at Matour.

Addressing the rally, the Chief Minister dispelled the notion that the state government was considering more districts. He said, “Twelve districts are enough for the development of Himachal. There is no need to create more districts. Instead of creating new districts, the state government would like to spend money on various schemes.” He further said people talking of creating new districts were just playing politics.

The CM also claimed that 90 per cent of the 17,000 schools in the state were opened during his stint as head of the state. He said political rivals were accusing him of opening many government colleges.

Referring to dissidence within the party, he said, “I do not consider anyone as my enemy. I urge even the Opposition to come together for the development.”

The CM conceded to most of the demands raised by Pawan Kajal, including opening of a Primary Health Centre (PHC) and science classes in a school at Lanj. The CM, however, said he would consider the demand for opening of sub-employment exchange in Kangra. He also said he would also construct Bachat Bhavan in Kangra, foundation stone of which was laid by Shanta Kumar.

The CM said he respected Shanta Kumar and would honour his commitment despite the fact that it had not been honoured by the previous BJP government.

Pawan Kajal said he was not part of any group. He praised Bali for supporting him.

The CM was honoured by the Gorkha community at Dari in Dharamsala that is represented of Minister for Town and Country Planning Sudhir Sharma. He inaugurated a new building of a school at Dari, upgrade of government school, Sarah, and opening of PHC at Dari.

Pathania, Sudhir Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagjivan Pal, Congress MLAs Sanjay Rattan and Ajay Mahajan and former MP and Chairman of the OBC Finance Corporation Chander Kumar were among other leaders who accompanied the CM during his tour in Kangra district.