Grilling had CM’s supporters, detractors worried

Congress leaders in Himachal are skeptical about the intentions of the BJP-led Modi regime about Himachal. When Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh was summoned last week by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning, there was equal anxiety, both amongst his loyalists as well as detractors as the hours of questioning got extended well late into the night. Though his supporters were worried for obvious reasons even his detractors got worried as on the same day Governor Acharya Devvrat met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The Congress men were candid enough to point out that this was not mere coincidence and the Modi regime had other plans for the Congress-ruled state. Till “Raja sahib” did not step out of the ED Office in Delhi well after 9 pm there was all kinds of speculation. Some pointed out that the Governor wants a more active role and does not wish to be confined to the Raj Bhawan.

Feeling ignored vis-a-vis Haroli

With the elections drawing closer, a powerful minister in Una has shifted to social media for his election campaign. Social media portals are filled with advertisements, giving details of those who got help from the Chief Minister through the minister. This man was suffering from a heart disease and he got Rs 4 lakh from the CM Relief Fund for his treatment, courtesy the local minister. Though the campaign might prove beneficial for the minister in his own constituency, it is likely to have detrimental effect in other parts of Una district. Voters in other parts of Una district are now coming to know how privileged their counterparts in Haroli constituency were during the present stint of the Congress government. It is also likely to provide a handle to opposition leaders in other parts of the district to illustrate how their areas (BJP MLAs) were ignored vis-a-vis Haroli.

Saffron flags invite ire

BJP men have invited the ire of non -BJP minded people for pitching saffron flags in their houses in many localities in Shimla ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on April 27. Many party men were seen carrying brooms and party flags sweeping streets in symbolic gesture to Swatch Bharat mission to the public. A house wife stepped out from her house and removed the flag from her house gate with a grin on her face saying “Mere gate par jhanda kyon lagaya, party teri hai -apne ghar ke aage lagao na”. The excited party man turned out to be her neighbour.

Too little, too late

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is known for being very religious and a staunch devotee of goddess Bhima Kali but his Cabinet decided to constitute a task force for killing the monkeys as the affected people are wary of shooting the simians.  The government declared monkeys as vermin but the people did not kill them during the past one year due to religious sentiments and their association with Lord Hanuman.  However, the Cabinet proved its credentials by taking the decision to constitute the task force on “Hanuman Jayanti”. The  private residence of Virbhadra Singh “Holly Lodge” is located in Jakoo area, which is known as abode of monkeys and animal lovers, are asking why the necessity of task force was not felt till a few years ago  when the population of monkeys in the area was many times more.