BJP promises corruption free government in Himachal Pradesh

Dec 16, 2007, 14:11 GMT

Shimla, Dec 16 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Sunday said only his party can ensure a 'clean' and 'efficient' government in Himachal Pradesh.

Advani was speaking at an election rally in Baijnath in Kangra district, around 240 km from here.

'The BJP will provide a corruption free clean and efficient government in Himachal just as we have done so in Gujarat,' he said.

BJP president Rajnath Singh held three rallies in Bilaspur and Mandi districts.

While exhorting the people to vote for BJP, Singh said, 'Compare the 50 year-rule of the Congress and the 10 years of the BJP rule and you will see the difference in governance.'

Film star-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha lent some glamour to the BJP's campaign by holding a rally at Darang in Mandi district, around 160 km from here.

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi held road shows at several places in the twin valleys of Kullu and Mandi as people lined up in large numbers to watch him.

He spoke at a few places and accused the BJP of being divisive and backward.

'The only way forward was not to divide the people and move ahead as one nation. But the communal forces talk of taking the nation backwards instead, so we all know who the real losers are,' said Gandhi.

The second and final phase of the polls for 65 assembly seats takes place Dec 19 and the counting starts Dec 28.

The first phase of polling took place Nov 14 for the three tribal seats of Bharmaur, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur due to fears of early snowfall in the mountain regions.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service