Doubt if BJP’s return in HP is possible without drastic steps on graft: Shanta

Saying that it was going to be a neck- and-neck fight against the Congress,Kumar told mediapersons in Dharamshala: “While a few are living in intoxication of power,others who have accumulated money do not bother to take any corrective steps — resulting in the alienation of the cadres. Consultation,operation,preparations and celebrations is the only mantra if the BJP wants to return to power in Himachal Pradesh. This is a time-tested principle,which the party applied in Punjab at my behest and made a comeback. I really doubt if a repeat in Himachal Pradesh could work without a drastic operation (against the corrupt) and proper preparations.”

Kumar timed his press conference to coincide with last week’s conviction of former BJP president Bangaru Laxman and also state government’s move to bifurcate his home district Kangra without taking him to confidence.

“Nobody has ever consulted me. Perhaps this is the problem with next generation,which does not feel the need of such consultations. Neither am I going to give my advise nor will I impose myself on someone. Only if asked,I will give my opinion on the issue,” he said.

The former chief minister was seemed upset over the fact that questions were being asked after Maheshwar Singh,a former state BJP president who now heads a new political outfit,visited him at Palampur few days ago. “There were inquiries as to what transpired in the meeting. After all,Maheshwar Singh happens to be one of our old party associates and his contributions to the BJP cannot be ignored. So why such inquiries? Can’t I meet them knowing that they had rendered a valuable service to the party at tough times?” asked Kumar.

He added: “Maheshwar,despite pressures from all sides,had extended his support to the newly-formed BJP in 1977. Remember,Mahinder Sofat,who was main architect in the party’s win in 1990 is also being pushed to the wall. Why?”

Terming Sofat as a dedicated party worker,Kumar said: “He even sold his truck and shut his shop for the party. Later,when it come for the party to reward him for his honesty,he was denied a ticket. It was a grave injustice as some people from the had misled Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was a political murder of a dedicated party worker,” said Kumar.

‘Had asked party to expel Bangaru 11 years ago’

Bhartiya Janata Party national Vice-president Shanta Kumar has termed the conviction of former party president Bangaru Laxman as a blot on BJP and regretted that despite his (Shanta’s) demand the BJP did nothing to expel Bangaru from the party 11 years ago when he was caught on camera in the sting operation.

“Today is a bad day for the party and my heart is crying. I really wonder why the party kept him in the party,” he said at Dharamsala on Sunday,recalling having raised the issue at the BJP’s working committee meeting immediately after the incident.

Shanta recalled that he was snubbed by partymen for raising the issue of Bangaru. He said PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee had agreed with his suggestion,“But no one showed him the door.”

Referring to Himachal’s Lokayukta Bill,Shanta said that it lacks teeth,“Yeh bill be to langra hi hai (This bill is also handicapped).”

His remark is expected to give the opposition Congress and team Anna a new handle to accuse Dhumal government of enacting a weak bill.