Thakur keeps mum on second capital status to Dharamsala

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, January 8

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his Cabinet colleagues arrived here today for the four-day Winter session starting tomorrow.

Ministers of the BJP government, including Kishan Kapoor, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Vipin Parmar, Minister for Health, Bikram Thakur, Minister for Industries, Sarveen Chaudhary, Minister for Town and Country Planning, former CM Shanta Kumar and hundreds of party workers waited for the new CM at the Gaggal airport for about four hours. The Chief Minister was scheduled to arrive here at 2 pm. However, his arrival was delayed by about two hours.

Many BJP leaders complained that their names were not on the list of leaders who were allowed inside the airport to welcome the CM.

Some of them argued their case with airport authority officials who had to leave their office to avoid the situation.

Talking to newsmen at the airport, the Chief Minister avoided almost all controversial queries.

When asked about the second capital status to Dharamsala that was accorded by the previous Congress government, Thakur said he could not say anything regarding it. For the time being, his objective would be run the session of smoothly.

Different delegations of employees, groups of party workers and officials of various departments stood along the road to welcome the CM. The Chief Minister, who seemed exhausted attending the welcomes for the past few days, acknowledged almost every delegation.

Near Circuit House, the CM, on his first arrival to the quasi winter capital of the state, got the taste of things to come. A delegation of government workers was awaiting for him with their charter of demands. The employees were demanding the implementation of the old pension scheme in place of contributory pension scheme.

Members of the Gaddi community welcomed him in their traditional dresses. Men and women members of the community performed their traditional dance.

The Chief Minister was made to get down from his official car and walk to the Circuit House where he was according guard of honour.

In Circuit House, Thakur performed dance with Gaddi dancers and obliged many who wanted a selfie with him.

Almost all Congress and BJP MLAs arrived at Dharamsala for the session and checked in hotels booked for them by the district administration. Leader of Congress Legislative Party Mukesh Agnihotri also arrived. Former CM Virbhadra Singh also arrived here and is staying Jia Rest House, the place where former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal used to stay as the Leader of the Opposition.

A selfie moment

Members of the Gaddi community welcomed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in their traditional dresses. Men and women members of the community performed their traditional dance. The Chief Minister was made to get down from his official car and walk to the Circuit House, where he was according guard of honour. In Circuit House, the Chief Minister performed with Gaddi dancers and obliged many who wanted a selfie with him. The CM, who seemed exhausted attending the welcomes for the past few days, acknowledged almost every delegation.