BJP leaders put up united show at mass singing

Brushing aside speculation about internal strife plaguing the party, the state BJP leaders today put up a united show to mark the completion of 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram here today.

All senior BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, state BJP president Rajeev Bindal, Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap and party MLAs took part in a mass singing of the national song on the completion of its 150 years at the commemoration ceremony.

“BJP is not divided into five factions but we are the five Pandavas who will ensure the rout of the Congress in the state,” said Thakur hitting back at the Congress jibe of BJP witnessing a leadership tussle.

Anurag said Modi regime has helped the Himachal government generously to undertake restoration work post the disaster in the last three years. “Be it the money for construction of houses or roads, the Centre came to the rescue of Himachal, each time and the Prime Minister announced Rs 1,500 crore financial help to the state. This, despite the state government failing to utilise this amount liberally,” he said.

Anurag said it is under Congress rule that deprived Himachal of the 90:10 funding ratio for special category states and also withdrew the industrial package. “Modi without anyone asking for it restored special category status and also the industrial package,” he said, commenting further that the Modi regime has never shied away from extending liberal funding to Himachal.

Anurag also clarified that no externally aided project (EAP) can be availed without Centre’s approval. “It is the Union Finance Ministry which will return 80 per cent of the loan availed under JICA project for acquiring modern medical equipment,” he said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, LoP Jai Ram Thakur said he does not wish to comment at a party which is practically defunct without any party units for the last one year. He also said the CM should be gracious in accepting that Centre has approved an EAP project from JICA for purchase of modern medical equipment.