The BJP on Tuesday took out its first rally from Bilaspur here as part of its programme to save the State from ‘mafia rule’. Former Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal led the procession and addressed a huge gathering of party workers. He was accompanied by State party president Satpal Satti, vice-president Randhir Sharma and former MP Suresh Chandel.
‘Terrorising public’
The leaders claimed that the public, especially the government employees in the State, were being terrorised by the Congress government. A recent audio clipping had exposed Bilaspur MLA Bumber Thakur as demanding an illegal disability certificate from a doctor, they claimed. In the video, he was allegedly seen threatening the doctor with dire consequences and an immediate transfer to some tribal area if his request was not fulfilled. The Congress MLA had also purportedly slapped an IFS officer on duty a few days ago for not working according to his wishes.
‘CM patronising mafia’
The BJP leaders claimed that Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his colleagues were patronising such elements who were openly threatening the public. “There is an organised drug, mining, liquor, land and forest mafia in the State. This type of atmosphere was unthinkable a few years ago,” the leaders claimed. The State employees are the biggest organised section of voters in Himachal, and their support is decisive in any elections here.
News Source TheHindu.com
