Stop 'black-mailing' opposition: BJP

SHIMLA: Sharply reacting to chief minister Virbhadra Singh's reported remarks to order a probe by CBI into the assets of former chief minister P K Dhumal, the state BJP today asked him to stop "black-mailing" the opposition and remain prepared to face the consequences of preliminary enquiry registered against him by the CBI.

"Chief Minister is free to order any probe by top investigating agency of the country and world but we would not be cowed down by his threats and blackmailing tactics," BJP general secretary, Randhir Sharma, MLA told media persons here.

Taking a swipe on Singh for blaming former chief minister for institution of PE against him by the CBI, Sharma said that "It is not a new thing for Chief Minister as old habits die hard" Sharma said.

"Whatever Virbhadra Singh is facing is not handiwork of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal or anyone else but his own misdeeds as union Steal minister, a post he had to quit after a local court framed charges against him," he said.

"To divert public attention from serious charges which he was facing about his revised I-tax returns, orchard income shooting up to crores from few lakhs (when he was union minister), disproportionate assets, his questionable deals with businessman Vakamulla Chandrasekhar... Chief Minister was making statements against political rivals," BJP leader alleged.

Sharma said despite being Chief Minister for six times, Virbhadra has not been able to overcome his federal mindset and asked that how can Dhumal have a role in the CBI probe ordered against him when it's known that everything had happened when UPA was in power and his ministry was changed due to controversies.

Later Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan who had filed case against in the Delhi High Court, which is still pending .

He also reminded Chief Minister about his land case and illegally retaining 161 bighas of land, which should have actually been vested to the government .

BJP leader questioned Chief Minister over his private secretary Subhash Ahluwalia being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in money laundering charges .

Ahluwalia being a part of Chief Minister's office, money laundering case against him was direct reflection on Chief Minister, Sharma said.

BJP stood firmly behind Dhumal as there was nothing to hide about his assets, Sharma stressed.