Himachal polls: Smriti Irani ups the ante against Congress

Union Minister and BJP's star campaigner for Himachal Pradesh Smriti Irani on Sunday upped the ante against Congress and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.

Addressing a public rally here, Irani said, "How can this state develop when the chief minister is himself involved in a corruption case owing to his disproportionate assets? November 9 is not just an election; it is a message to the Congress that never listened to the poor and brave soldiers. The Congress only worked for themselves and for their development. The public will not tolerate this sort of misgovernance anymore."

She further expressed confidence about sweeping the Himachal polls while also urging the people of the state to vote for the BJP.

Irani went on to slam the Congress and said, "The Congress is neither concerned about the country's internal security nor its economic development. They are only concerned about their government and party."

She further questioned why the land of brave soldiers should trust and support the Congress whose leaders like P. Chidambaram talk about Kashmir's autonomy.

She further said that a voter only has few expectations when he/she casts vote, such as good infrastructure, sound education facilities, employment opportunity, woman safety and overall development of the state.

With just three days left for the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress and the BJP have been campaigning extensively and addressing rallies in several districts of the poll-bound state.

Earlier in the day, addressing a rally in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress vice-president said Prime Minister Narendra Modi believed in eating up the fruits of others' labour.

"It says in the Gita, 'If your work, don't worry about the fruits of your labour', but Modiji's interpretation is 'eat up the fruits of others' labour; don't worry about doing any work'," Rahul said.

The polling in Himachal Pradesh is slated to be held in single-phase on November 9. The results will be declared on December 18.