Cong rebels will get full respect in BJP: Thakur

Shimla: Himachal leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said that the six rebels of Congress will get “full respect’ in BJP as these MLAs (now disqualified) have made huge sacrifices for the party in the Rajya Sabha elections, and have put their legislature at stake. Sources have indicated that the six disqualified MLAs of Congress may join the BJP shortly, and the central leadership of BJP will make an announcement in this regard soon. If these leaders do join the BJP, then political equations will change in six assembly seats of Himachal Pradesh. “How the BJP will adjust them would be interesting to see as giving tickets to all of them would not be possible in the bypoll,” said a source. Addressing the media in Shimla on Tuesday, former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “In case the rebel Congress MLAs join BJP, the party high command will decide on giving them tickets. The high command is considering inclusion of these rebel MLAs in the BJP, and a decision will be taken soon. Party workers will not face any problem due to the Congress rebels joining BJP.” He added that the defeat of Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections is a clear indication that nothing is right within the govt, and everyone is angry. “No one is happy with the working style of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Some ministers were even spotted crying after cabinet meets... this has never happened before in the state,” Thakur added. Sukhu targets BJP over OPS Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has targeted BJP on social media over the issue of pension. He has posted that BJP has become a 'stall work' party as OPS was stopped as soon as the BJP govt was formed in Rajasthan. He added that the BJP tried to topple the Congress govt to stop OPS in Himachal, and now they are trying hard to stop financial help to mothers and sisters. He further wrote that the culture of throwing money, toppling govts and stalling projects will not work in Himachal.‘Jai Ram a spokesperson for rebels’Cong MLAs Nand Lal and Bhawani Pathania have claimed that leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur is acting like a spokesperson for the rebel Cong MLAs, and is giving daily statements. “The BJP should clarify its relationship with the rebels before the people of Himachal Pradesh. The Congress party has full faith in the constitutional institutions, whereas the BJP leaders are not losing their lust for power. Jai Ram Thakur knows very well that the people of Himachal Pradesh do not like opportunistic politics and BJP's defeat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is certain,” said the leaders.