Himachal CM terms allegations against him as vendetta

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Thursday described as "political vendetta" the allegations levelled by BJP leader and union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad that he got an unsecured loan from a firm.

"The matter regarding my income tax returns is pending before the Delhi High Court and in various appellate authorities in the income tax (IT) department and IT Tribunal," the chief minister said in a statement here.

He said he has already submitted his income tax details to the authorities concerned and the matter is being looked into by the high court where detailed reply has been filed by the CBI and the IT department.

It was inappropriate for anybody to comment on the matter as it was sub-judice, he added.

The chief minister advised the Bharatiya Janata Party to wait for the decision of the high court.

A day after targeting Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat over corruption, the BJP on Thursday raised questions about Virbhadra Singh's financial dealings with Shimla-based LIC agent Anand Chauhan.

Virbhadra Singh said the BJP was totally exposed on the issue of corruption involving its senior leaders who were involved in various matters against whom the BJP was turning a blind eye.

He said the Congress leaders were being targeted by the BJP leaders with a political motive to divert public attention from their own wrongdoings.

The chief minister said the allegations levelled by union minister Prasad were the same which were raised by the BJP at the time of the 2012 assembly elections and much hype was created about them.

He said these allegations have been enquired into in detail and an inquiry report in sealed cover is lying in the Delhi High Court.