Blame Game Over Second Capital Continues

Himachal This Week

With BJP Member of Parliament Shanta Kumar raising questions over government’s decision to declare Dharamshala as second capital of Himachal, the Congress and BJP leaders are engaged in a continuous blame game. Shanta Kumar said that this decision was not worth commenting on as government’s decisions were incomplete and only on papers. He wanted to know as to how long the secretariat would function from Dharamshala, asking government to clarify the position. “Under which act the decision to make Dharamshala the second capital has been taken,” the BJP leader further asked.

Bone Of Contention For BJP

Announcing Dharamshala as second capital of Himachal has become a bone of contention for the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party. The Congress party has started using the issue to its favour after Chief Minister’s announcement and later Cabinet’s nod. However, the BJP is facing a dilemma as it is neither able to oppose nor favour the second capital status to Dharamshala.

The opposition leaders and party workers are reportedly in a state of confusion, political observers point out as they feel that it would have an impact during upcoming assembly elections in Himachal due later this year. The government’s decision just before the assembly elections has raised the political temperature in this hilly state. In addition, the move is proving to be big headache for the opposition party. Citing precarious financial position of the state, the BJP is terming the decision as unreasonable but the fact is that it has no other reason to oppose government’s decision.

Political observers also point out that opposition party would avoid any resistance from people over the issue in the election year whereas the Congress would definitely use it to their advantage. No party can ignore the importance of Kangra district that hold political significance in Himachal politics. It is often said the party winning in Kangra district would rule the state. Second capital at Dharamshala will not only benefit people of Kangra district but also people of adjoining districts like Chamba, Hamirpur and Una.

Ministers Express Surprise

Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania and Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, both hailing from Kangra district also expressed surprise over the Shanta statement while raising objections over the declaration of Dharamshala as the state’s second capital. In a joint press statement they said “It did not behove to a senior leader like Shanta Kumar to give such a politically motivated statements and the BJP leaders should clearly state that whether they were in favour or against making Dharamshala as second capital of the state.” Had Shanta Kumar been the well wisher of Kangra, he should have appreciated the move in the interest of development of not only Kangra district but entire state, they said.

* Under which act the decision to make Dharamshala the second capital has been taken and for how long the secretariat would function from Dharamshala

-Shanta Kumar, BJP Member of Parliament

* Shanta Kumar should know that Himachal Pradesh is a full-fledged state and has all the powers to decide where to locate the capital, offices and to have a second capital

-Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister

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