06-07-2007, 09:36 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Post-Hamirpur defeat, Virbhadra-Mankotia war intensifies</b>
PC Lohumi | Shimla
The war of attrition between Chief Minister VB Singh and suspended Congress leader Vijay Singh Mankotia further intensified after party's crushing defeat in the Hamirpur Lok Sabha bypoll. The Chief Minister dared Mankotia to "come out at once with whatever he has in store for making further exposures" and his bete noire urging the president to dismiss him (CM).
The Chief Minister who did not react to the defeat on Tuesday, held a Press conference here on Wednesday to dub t<b>he massive victory of the BJP as a routine affair with no impact whatsoever on the next Assembly elections</b>.
"The BJP leaders exploited the regional and caste card to drive political mileage but it is only a small battle and we will win the war," he claimed.
Admitting that Kangra region deserved more representation in the Cabinet, Singh said it was time for restructuring the Cabinet and give responsibility to more leaders.
Induction of certain leaders in Cabinet was on mind for a long time and he had taken up the matter with the High Command also, he said adding that he was waiting for a green signal. He said presently Hamirpur District, which was stronghold of BJP, had no representation in the Cabinet and something needed to be done to win the confidence of the people there.
The remarks of the Chief Minister on representation to some more leaders was a clear indication that he realised that political discrimination with merged areas cost the party heavily in the by-poll.
The position of the party had become more vulnerable as the rebel leader vociferously raised the issue<b> on the eve of by-election and also released an audio CD, allegedly containing conversation of the Chief minister and his MP wife Pritibha Singh regarding some money transactions. </b>
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PC Lohumi | Shimla
The war of attrition between Chief Minister VB Singh and suspended Congress leader Vijay Singh Mankotia further intensified after party's crushing defeat in the Hamirpur Lok Sabha bypoll. The Chief Minister dared Mankotia to "come out at once with whatever he has in store for making further exposures" and his bete noire urging the president to dismiss him (CM).
The Chief Minister who did not react to the defeat on Tuesday, held a Press conference here on Wednesday to dub t<b>he massive victory of the BJP as a routine affair with no impact whatsoever on the next Assembly elections</b>.
"The BJP leaders exploited the regional and caste card to drive political mileage but it is only a small battle and we will win the war," he claimed.
Admitting that Kangra region deserved more representation in the Cabinet, Singh said it was time for restructuring the Cabinet and give responsibility to more leaders.
Induction of certain leaders in Cabinet was on mind for a long time and he had taken up the matter with the High Command also, he said adding that he was waiting for a green signal. He said presently Hamirpur District, which was stronghold of BJP, had no representation in the Cabinet and something needed to be done to win the confidence of the people there.
The remarks of the Chief Minister on representation to some more leaders was a clear indication that he realised that political discrimination with merged areas cost the party heavily in the by-poll.
The position of the party had become more vulnerable as the rebel leader vociferously raised the issue<b> on the eve of by-election and also released an audio CD, allegedly containing conversation of the Chief minister and his MP wife Pritibha Singh regarding some money transactions. </b>
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