BJP’s Suresh Kashyap files papers from Shimla

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, April 25

These elections will script the future of the country with an accelerated pace of development and the BJP will not only retain all four seats in Himachal with a bigger margin, but also sweep the poll. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur here today.

Addressing a rally after filing of nominations by BJP candidate Suresh Kashyap from Shimla (reserved) constituency, Thakur said the Congress was demoralised as it had seen the writing on the wall, while the BJP was targeting 400-plus seats.

Our slogan in Himachal is “Ab ke bar, char ke char” and workers are full of enthusiasm as the party will seek votes on the basis of performance, he said.

The BJP decided its candidates in 15 minutes, while the confusion prevailed in the Congress as most of its senior leaders were unwilling to enter the fray and it had to depend on borrowed candidates. Terming the “mahaghatbhandan” as “maha-milavat”, he said it is a rudderless alliance wherein every leader was eying the post of Prime Minister, but people, especially the first-time voters, wanted a strong leadership, essential for national security, which only PM Modi can provide.

Earlier, the Congress government only wrote letters after terrorist attacks, but under the NDA regime, the terrorists got a suitable reply and were paid back in the same coin, he said.

Referring to certain remarks made by state party chief Satpal Singh Satti, the CM said it was an outburst and a reaction to the derogatory statements made by Congress president Rahul Gandhi against the Prime Minister.

Former Chief Minister PK Dhumal said the BJP government had strengthened the armed forces and fulfilled the pending demand of “One rank, one pension (ORPO)’, while the Congress had promised to abolish the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), which was essential to curb terrorist activities.

Former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar made an appeal to voters to ensure the victory of BJP candidates on all four seats. He said his last wish was to see Himachal as the happiest state in the country.

Satti said both BJP and Congress candidates from Shimla were ex-servicemen, but Kashyap supported the action of PM, while Shandil suspected it.

BJP leaders take a dig at Sukh Ram

Sukh Ram has deserted political parties five times and is called ‘Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram’ in Himachal. — Shanta Kumar

Ashray told me that it is his grandfather’s dream to see him as an MP, but grandfather’s dreams are not fulfilled in the BJP, which is against dynastic succession. — Jai Ram Thakur