M A I N   N E W S

It’s a deep-rooted conspiracy: Sushant
Registration of FIR against three ministers
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 26
The registration of an FIR against three ministers by the Kangra police has been described by the Revenue Minister, Mr Rajan Sushant, as a “deep-rooted conspiracy.” He said here today that the matter would be discussed with the BJP high command as the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, had failed to take action in the matter.

Mr Sushant, who has apparently been drifting away from Mr Dhumal during the past few days and has reportedly moved closer to rebels, said: “We have come to know the names of those involved in hatching the conspiracy and will disclose these to the party high command.

The dissidents will meet the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the BJP president, Mr Bangaru Laxman, in this regard and also voice other grievances against Mr Dhumal.”

The Transport Minister, Mr K.K. Kapoor, and Mr Dulo Ram, who is president of the BJP unit of the biggest district of Kangra, have already criticised the incident.

He said the registration of cases against three ministers and the president of the BJP unit of Kangra was a serious matter and an unhealthy precedent has been set.

Mr Sushant said this was not a “tamasha” and no one in the party or the government should stoop so low as to indulge in such acts.

This type of “cheap politics” should not be played even with leaders of the Opposition.”

Registration of FIR against any prominent person without a preliminary inquiry is a wrong step aimed at mudslinging,” he said.

Mr Sushant’s annoyance with the Chief Minister stems from the delay in implementation of various commitments to khair wood growers, daily-wage earners and people of Shahnehar area.

He made it clear that continuing in the ministry was not his priority. Mr Sushant said he would welcome anyone who supported the issues raised by him.

The minister said despite repeated assurances by the Chief Minister and the ministers concerned, the issues raised by him were not resolved.

He said khair growers of the districts of Kangra, Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmaur were selling their produce in panic at a throwaway price of around Rs 550 per quintal to middlemen as the government had failed to withdraw the 30 per cent tax on it and issue export permits, despite assurances by the Chief Minister.

Mr Sushant said the residents of Shahnehar area were disappointed because contracts for construction of the project had been awarded to non-Himachalis who had employed labour from Rajasthan, Bihar and UP.

He said the election promise of regularising the services of those daily-wage earners who had put five years in service had also remained unimplemented.

In some departments, those who had completed eight-10 years in service, had yet to be regularised.

When contacted, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, refused to comment.