28 April,2009 12:15 PM IST | | Surender Sharma
Says Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal; blames Sheila Dikshit government for the delay in Delhi getting water from Renuka dam
Popularly known as 'Sadakwala Mukhyamantri' for record number of road constructions during his tenure in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal is in the city imparting his success mantra to the BJP candidates in Delhi.
Dhumal led the saffron party to a comfortable win against Congress' Virbhadra Singh in 2007. This is his second term as Chief Minister.
Known for keeping a low profile and media shy, Dhumal has also represented the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency thrice.
MiD DAY's Surender Sharma caught up with him while he was campaigning for BJP candidates Jagdish Mukhi in West Delhi, Vijender Gupta in Chandni Chowk and Vijay Goel in New Delhi constituencies.
Asked about the Delhi Jal Board's plans to tap water for 16 million city residents from the Renuka Dam in Himachal Pradesh, Dhumal blamesu00a0 the Sheila Dikshit government for the delay.
Excerpts:
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Why there was so much delay in Delhi getting water from Renuka dam?
The project got delayed due to the Sheila Dikshit government. At the onset we had had asked them to release the money but that came eight years late. But, now the work is on in full swing. We don't have a dispute with Delhi.
What Himachal Pradesh will get out of the project?
We are going to get 40 MW power from the dam.u00a0
Do you endorse the view of your party colleagues Arun Shourie and Arun Jaitley that Narendra Modi is the prime-minister-in-waiting?
LK Advani is our prime ministerial candidate. When the next general elections comes the party will decide who would be its prime ministerial candidate. I don't want to jump the gun.
What are the prospects of BJP in these polls in Himachal Pradesh?
The party will have a clean sweep at all the seats in Himachal Pradesh.
You have been accusing the UPA of meting out step-motherly treatment to your state. Why?
In 2002 the NDA government under the prime ministership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee had announced an industrial package for the state along with Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir till 2013. In 2004, the UPA government reduced the limit to 2007. But later when the states agitated, it was increased till 2010 for HP and Uttarakhand but in case of Jammu and Kashmir it remained 2013 as Congress was in power in the state. This is UPA government's biggest political blackmail. We have been deceived by the UPA as far as industrial package is concerned.
Himachal is losing the number one position as the favourite tourist destination to Uttarakhand. How are you countering it?
This is not true. To attract high-end tourists you must have good connectivity both by rail and air. Only road connectivity, as in our case, doesn't get you many tourists. We focusing on educational tours, showcasing our hydel projects and the apple orchards. A trekking institute has also come up at Manali. The railway link to Leh would be a big boost to tourism in Himachal Pradesh.u00a0
What is your vision for Himachal Pradesh?
During its 15 month stint my government has been able to fulfill 80 per cent of the promises we made to the people before polls. We are giving highest subsidy to our farmers and fruit growers. Our aim is to be on top of the list of developed states like we are placed geographically.
