Favour identification of outsiders, but do not agree with BJP's style of work: Pratibha Singh
Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh on Saturday said that she favours identification of ‘outsiders’ for the sake of state's security, but does not subscribe to the BJP's ideology or its style of working.
Her comments came after the Congress brass told off Vikramaditya Singh for announcing that it would be mandatory for street vendors to display their names and sparking a controversy. The party said no one was allowed to go against its policies and ideologies.
Vikramaditya Singh sparked a controversy on Wednesday by saying that it would be mandatory for street vendors, especially those selling food items, to display their identity cards at their shops. The state government later clarified that no such decision had been taken.
Talking to PTI Videos in Delhi, Pratibha Singh — who earlier met Congress general secretary in-charge (organisation) KC Venugopal — said the issue was blown out of proportion.
"Identification of outsiders should be done to know the purpose of visit in view of the internal security of the state," she said.
She said the party high command was aware of the sentiments of the people. "During the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that we should leave hatred and spread love and we always follow it," she said.
Several places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Shimla, teeter on edge since massive demonstrations took place weeks ago with the demand for demolition of a mosque in Sanjauli. The mosque issue soon gave way to vociferous demands by Hindu outfits for the registration of migrant workers coming to work in the state.
Hundreds of people took out a rally in Hamirpur, under the banner of Devbhoomi Sangharsh Samiti, on Saturday. They demanded the abolishment of the Waqf Board and verification of migrants.
"Himachal Pradesh, known as 'Dev Bhoomi', is a peaceful state and such incidents have never happened here. The welfare and security of the people of the state is our top priority," Pratibha Singh added.
"It is a tactic of the BJP. Rumours are being spread and we condemn such an act. We differ from the ideology and working style of the BJP and do not approve of it," she said.
AICC's Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rajiv Shukla on Thursday said street vendors would be given licences and regulated so that the police do not harass them. There is no requirement for them to display a sign stating their name as the owner, he added.
