Winter session of Himachal assembly may be stormy

Shimla: A five-day winter session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly beginning on Monday in Dharamsala town is likely to be stormy as the opposition BJP is set to corner the ruling Congress over corruption charges against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and delay in execution of central projects.

The government, on the other hand, said it would highlight its achievements in the last four years.

"The issue of corruption charges and ongoing trial against the Chief Minister is an issue along with the deliberate delay in executing the central projects," BJP state president Satpal Satti told IANS.

He said the issues relating to the misdeeds of the government would be raised both within and outside the assembly.

The Chief Minister is facing cases by Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

"We are ready to discuss and debate on all issues in the assembly, provided the opposition follows parliamentary norms. We will highlight the achievements of the government that is going to complete four years in office on December 25," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Agnihotri told IANS.

Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said they would aggressively take up the issues in the assembly.

BJP legislator Suresh Bhardwaj said developmental works in the state, especially the central projects like setting up of the AIIMS-like institution, were almost grounded, and the condition of roads across the state has deteriorated.

"Issues related to road and health will be among the issues to be raised in the assembly," he added.

Speaker B.B.L. Butail said the proceedings in the assembly would see paperless work.

A total of five assembly sittings would be held in Dharamsala, for which the assembly would see 232 starred and 141 un-starred questions.