Farmers Movement Archive

Cong to be wiped out in MC poll: Khanna

Shimla, March 19 The names of BJP candidates for the election of four Municipal Corporations, namely Dharamsala, Palampur, Mandi and Solan to be held on April 7 are likely to be finalised tonight during the meeting of the election committee. The elections are being held on party symbol. The victory of the BJP in the municipal corporation elections would lay the foundation of the win in the upcoming Assembly elections in 2022, said BJP in charge Avinash Rai Khanna adding that the party was all set to wipe out the opposition Congress which was leaderless, issueless and directionless. Addressing the media persons here today, he said that the schemes launched by the union government, work of state government and management of party workers at booth level would ensure party victory. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has given a slogan Gram Sabha to Vidhan Sabha and the BJP would break the myth of alternate government in the state after every five years by repeating and coming to power again in the Vidhan Sabha elections, he said. Referring to the ongoing farmers’ agitation, Rai said that the BJP has always supported the farmers and introduced kisan credit card and soil health card to benefit them. Maintaining that minimum support price (MSP) and mandis would stay, he said that farm bills are an alternate and not a compulsion. The farmers were free to sell their produce where ever they wish. He agreed that the ongoing farmers’ agitation has resulted in political loss to the party as the opposition has misguided the farmers but said that the BJP has drafted a formula as per the Swaminathan report to double farmers’ income. Answering a question regarding CBI probe into the death of Mandi MP Ram Swaroop Sharma, who hanged himself in New Delhi, Rai said, “We are also curious to know the reason behind such an extreme step. The Delhi police is already investigating the case and some reports are awaited after which thing will become clear”.

The Tribune

2021-03-20