Prepared for long-drawn battle, says Virbhadra

Shimla, August 23

Launching a vitriolic attack on Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and his predecessor Minister PK Dhumal, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said he was prepared for the long-drawn battle even if the charge-sheet by the CBI is filed against him in court.

Speaking to reporters after the BJP raised the issue of the serious corruption cases faced by him, he said it would take another 15 years for the case to be decided. “Even Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalita fought a court case for 14 years and ultimately won the elections,” he remarked. He said he was not the one to get scared of such victimisation.

In reply to a query he said he had not yet spoken to him about the cases filed against him but he felt that the Prime Minister was aware of it. “If this is the kind of political victimization during Modi Raj then I am not bothered as governments come and go but I will the political battle right till the end,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the BJP legislators were dancing to the tune of Dhumal. “Shanta Kumar also remained the Chief Minister but never indulged in political victimization. But Dhumal has vitiated the political environment,” he said. Virbhadra said the BJP was targeting him as they were aware of his political strength. “I am being victimized as they realize that considering my popularity, I am the biggest stumbling block in the way of BJP coming to power,” he said. — TNS