Himachal chief minister misusing his position, state BJP president says

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh BJP president Satpal Satti on Monday accused chief minister Virbhadra Singh of misusing his official position and government machinery to further the election prospects of Congress.

As the elections are drawing closer, Virbhadra is letting loose a reign of terror to harass his political opponents, he said and went on to cite instances. After the schedule for parliamentary elections was announced on March 5, Virbhadra had sought the governor's approval to prosecute former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal for various made up "offences" in connection with the grant of land on lease to HP Cricket Association.

"It was unusual for an acting chief secretary to... personally call on the governor to seek her approval, Virbhadra Singh exceeded his authority. The CM was in a hurry because he wanted to make an electoral capital out of this administrative action," he added.

Satti said Virbhadra made the police file an FIR against BJP candidate from Shimla parliamentary constituency Virender Kashyap on March 9 for a matter which was investigated five years back and in which he was exonerated. In another instance, he added, a case was registered on April 1 against BJP ex-MLA Baldev Sharma for assaulting a woman two years back.