Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 24 : BJP legislators staged a protest on the premises of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Monday, the third day of the Monsoon Session, alleging large-scale and "organised corruption" under the Congress government and accusing the state government of avoiding discussions on issues of public importance.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla during the protest, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP wanted the Assembly to function and raise issues concerning unemployment, corruption, law and order and healthcare, but alleged that the government was trying to evade discussions.
Thakur also said the BJP had submitted a written complaint to the Shimla police seeking registration of an FIR against Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera over his alleged "indecent" remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He said BJP leaders approached the Additional Superintendent of Police, Shimla, as the SP was not available at the time, and submitted evidence along with the complaint.
"The kind of language used by Pawan Khera against the Union Home Minister is not appropriate. Such language is not merely against an individual but against the person holding the constitutional office of the Union Home Minister," Thakur said.
He linked Khera's remarks to the ongoing political controversy over Vande Mataram, saying Amit Shah had referred to the Congress' 1937 decision concerning the national song and its practice of singing selected stanzas.
Thakur said the Congress Working Committee had also taken a decision in this regard and alleged that Khera subsequently used objectionable language against the Union Home Minister.
"We want the matter to be investigated under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and strict action should be taken against him. An FIR should be registered," he said.
Reacting to Congress spokesperson Kuldeep Rathore's argument that there was no need for a new law when the practice had traditionally been to sing two stanzas of Vande Mataram, BJP MLA and senior party leader Rakesh Jamwal said the matter had already been decided by Parliament.
"The law has been passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. After being passed by both Houses, it has become law, and it is not appropriate to comment on it in this manner," Jamwal said.
He said the legislation also provided for punishment in cases of disrespect to Vande Mataram and that a decision had been taken regarding singing the complete national song.
Jamwal said the BJP respected both Vande Mataram and the national anthem, adding that the national song had inspired people during the freedom struggle.
Turning to allegations of corruption in Himachal Pradesh, Thakur referred to remarks attributed to a Congress leader that "three bags go to Delhi and two briefcases go to the Chief Minister."
He said if such allegations had indeed been made by a Congress leader, that person should have evidence and complete information about the matter.
"The issue concerns the person who has made the statement, but today the entire state of Himachal Pradesh is suffering. Development works have virtually come to a standstill and corruption has crossed all limits," Thakur alleged.
He claimed that corruption had become "organised" across various government departments.
"Every work has a person fixed for it and a commission is fixed," he alleged, citing departments and areas including road-related works, health supplies, medicines, education supplies and government tenders.
Thakur alleged that conditions were being incorporated into tenders to favour particular individuals, contractors or companies.
He further alleged that outsourcing agencies in Himachal Pradesh had been registered in the names of Congress office-bearers and that people were subsequently given jobs through these agencies after commissions were allegedly collected.
"These things are happening in an organised manner. If one has to see the worst form of corruption in Himachal Pradesh, it is being seen under the Sukhu government," he alleged.
Thakur also alleged that certain officials close to the Congress leadership had repeatedly received extensions or important assignments with the government's patronage.
He claimed that the scale of corruption was unprecedented and said the BJP would continue to raise the issue.
BJP demands discussion on jobs, healthcare and law and order
Thakur said the BJP had been sitting inside the Assembly to participate in proceedings while, according to him, ruling-party legislators had walked out of the House during the ongoing session.
He said the opposition had submitted notices under the rules for discussion on several public issues, but alleged that they were not being accepted.
Among the issues, he highlighted the Congress government's pre-election promise of five lakh jobs in five years.
"With four years of the government's tenure nearing completion, we are going to ask for an account of the four lakh jobs that were supposed to have been provided," Thakur said.
He also referred to issues concerning law and order, corruption and healthcare.
Thakur said BJP MLA and former Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar had submitted a notice under Rule 130 seeking discussion on healthcare, but alleged that the government was not allocating time for it.
He accused the government of trying to "run away from discussion" on important issues.
"The government is trying to escape discussion under every circumstance," he said.
During the protest, Thakur said the BJP would continue to expose what it termed the government's failures and corruption.
He also referred to the recently held Panchayat elections, claiming that the results reflected public dissatisfaction with the Congress government.
"We have given a clear message through today's protest. We will expose a government which is drowned in corruption," Thakur said.
The BJP's protest came amid continuing political confrontation between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP during the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, with both sides accusing each other of obstructing legislative proceedings.