Gagret (Una), February 15
Adding to the duel of charges and counter charges between the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh and the BJP leaders, the former at a press conference held here today alleged that three petrol stations owned by the son and close relatives of Himachal Chief Minister, Mr Prem Kumar Dhumal, had been identified in Punjab.
These petrol pumps have been identified at Mand, Bhattiana and Phagwara. These petrol pumps were an addition to the already revealed wealth worth about Rs 41 crore of Mr Dhumal, which includes about 13 crore that he allegedly amassed after becoming the Chief Minister.
The Congress was committed to exposing corruption by Mr Dhumal and would not succumb to any kind of pressure. The only people who have grown rich during the BJP rule in Himachal were the relatives and friends of the Dhumal family who have emerged as wealthy contractors from humble beginnings in a very short period of time, he alleged.
The Punjab Chief Minister further accused the BJP of institutionalising corruption, nepotism and favouritism in every strata of the society. The BJP government in Himachal was squandering natural resources of the state for petty gains. Due to it the state that was rich in natural resources was facing an economic crunch. He also called upon people of Himachal to do soul searching about the fact that whether they wanted to support the “corrupt government” of the BJP or vote for the Congress to get clean administration.
The people of Himachal were wise enough not get swayed by the vote-based politics of the BJP. The Congress had definite agenda for ensuring peace and prosperity in the country where as the BJP was bent upon tarnishing the secular image of the country, he said. Reply to query while addressing a press conference later, the Punjab Chief Minister told that the PSEB had deferred the penalty on farmers for a fortnight.
