Standoff between BJP, govt over rally venue

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 30

A standoff has erupted between the BJP and state government over the venue of rally proposed by the Opposition on December 2 at Zorawar Singh stadium en route Vidhan Sabha in Dharamsala.

District Magistrate Ritesh Chauhan today cancelled the permission given earlier to BJP to hold a rally at Zorawar Singh stadium.

The DM has suggested the panchayat ground at Dari as an alternative venue for the rally.

However, the BJP has refused to accept the orders of the DM. Leader of Opposition PK Dhumal, while talking to newsmen, said that irrespective of the DM’s orders the BJP would hold its rally at Zorawar Singh stadium.

“We have asked all our workers to come to Zorawar Singh stadium for the rally,” he said.

“We had obtained permission for the rally from the DM to hold rally in Zorawar Singh stadium two days ago. Yesterday evening the Congress also decided to hold a counter rally on December 3.

“However, today we were surprised to know that our permission to hold a rally at Zorawar Singh stadium has been cancelled. It seems the Congress thought it might not be able to muster enough gathering to fill Zorawar Singh stadium on December 3. Fearing that their popularity among the people of the state would be exposed they have decided to cancel our permission,” Dhumal said.

“Since the Himachal Assembly was established and sessions were started in Dharamsala all the political and non-political rallies are being held at Zorawar Singh stadium.

“The cancellation of permission to main opposition party for holding a political rally illustrates that the state government was running autocratically and resorting to emergency-type measures,” Dhumal said.

He further said that issue would be taken by the BJP in the House tomorrow.

The District Magistrate said that permissions of both the Congress and the BJP to hold rallies in Zorawar Singh stadium had been cancelled.

“The permissions were given two days ago by the additional district magistrate. However, later we reviewed the situation and cancelled the permission. The permission was cancelled as the rally venue was close to the Vidhan Sabha and would disturb its proceedings,” he added.