The Hindu : `BJP designs did not work in Himachal'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 07, 2003

National

National

`BJP designs did not work in Himachal'

By Kanwar Yogendra

SHIMLA JULY 6. The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, said today that the cream of the Congress had started pouring in at Shimla and five committees would discuss tomorrow various issues.

Commenting on the main theme of political challenges the country is facing, Mr. Singh said the important issue was to keep the nation together and preserve its secular fabric. The country should be saved from the forces of Hindutva. The BJP had failed in its "sinister" designs in Himachal, which became an experimenting ground for them after their victory in Gujarat. "Even big guns, including the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, had failed to divide the people here on communal lines, though the population of Hindus is 98 per cent. No communal riots has taken place here after Independence.

Even during the height of communal tensions in the neighbouring Punjab, the State remained peaceful."

The recommendations made at the Pachmarhi session of the Congress and their implementations would also be discussed at the Shimla conclave, he said.

Earlier today, the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, arrived here for the three-day "Shimla conclave". She was received by senior leaders, including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambica Soni, Mohsina Kidwai and Mr. Virbhadra Singh, and given a traditional welcome.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National