Accusing the ruling Congress of shielding its corrupt and tainted politicians, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded from the Congress leadership to clarify its stand on the alleged involvement of Doon legislator Ram Kumar, currently in police custody, in the Joyti murder case.
The BJP leaders further demanded from chief minister Virbhadra Singh and the Congress high command to expel the MLA from the primary membership of the party and suspend from the membership of the state assembly "as he had committed a heinous crime".
In a meeting that held under the chairmanship of Doon BJP president Dhayan Singh at Baddi, the party leaders with one voice demanded that "since Ram Kumar and his accomplices have mortified the people of the state by allegedly committing the murder of young hapless girl, the Congress high command, instead of shielding the accused Ram Kumar, should initiate an exemplary action against him to maintain the discipline in public life". The meeting, besides other party leaders, was also attended by former BJP legislator Vinod Chandel.
Balwinder Singh Thakur, vice-chairman of Nalagarh block development committee, said that since the Congress had won the election from Doon seat by using muscle and money power, the chief minister should order an independent probe into the entire episode. BJP's district general secretary Ram Gopal was of the view that the Congress high command should take a tough decision against the MLA in question after his involvement in the murder case.
{{/usCountry}}Balwinder Singh Thakur, vice-chairman of Nalagarh block development committee, said that since the Congress had won the election from Doon seat by using muscle and money power, the chief minister should order an independent probe into the entire episode. BJP's district general secretary Ram Gopal was of the view that the Congress high command should take a tough decision against the MLA in question after his involvement in the murder case.
{{/usCountry}}The meeting finally resolved and urged the Congress party to immediately expel Ram Kumar and seek fresh mandate in Doon constituency as his involvement had given a bad name to Himachali politicians.