HP Independent aligns with BJP; party stakes claim

SHIMLA, March 23: Independent assembly member Ramesh Chand, on whose support the Virbhadra Singh ministry totalled to 32, today threatened t...

SHIMLA, March 23: Independent assembly member Ramesh Chand, on whose support the Virbhadra Singh ministry totalled to 32, today threatened to tilt the balance saying he was considering withdrawing from the Congress government.

Ramesh Chand, who is Minister for Irrigation and Public Health in the government, told newspersons he said conveyed to the Governor that he would not support the Chief Minister beyond today.

With Ramesh Chand’s induction in the Virbhadra Singh government on March 6 last, the Congress enjoyed the support of 32 members while the Bharatiya Janata Party-Himachal Vikas Congress too had the support of 32 members in the 68-member House, having an effective strength of 64 members.

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Ramesh Chand said State BJP leaders had approached him for extending his support to the party for government formation in the State.

He, however, said he was in touch with the BJP high command and would take a decision only after meeting the party high command,including former chief minister Shanta Kumar, MP,tomorrow. Whatever Shanta Kumar decided he would obey, he said.

Meanwhile, State Governor V S Rama Devi was today exploring the possibility of installing a popularly elected government in the State, Raj Bhavan sources said today. The sources said the Governor, who had gone to Bilaspur in connection with a fair, would hopefully take a decision after her return to the State capital tomorrow.