Shimla, March 23 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Sunday said the inquiry into the mass phone tapping of politicians and government officials duringb the previous BJP regime was complete and the charge sheet would be filed in the court within a week.
"I don't know who all are involved (in the phone tapping), but the investigations are almost complete and the charge sheet would be filed within a week," he told reporters here.
Refuting allegations of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal that the government was tapping their phones, Virbhadra Singh said: "It was like pot calling the kettle black. They tapped phones during their tenure and are now trying to make offence the best defence."
Dhumal Saturday alleged the government has purchased a machine for tapping phones. "We do not believe in such things," said the chief minister, who also accused the previous government of tapping his phones and bugging his rooms.
The present Congress government accused the previous government deaded by Dhumal of illegally tapping certain telephone numbers through the criminal investigation and the vigilance departments.
Dhumal, however, refuted the charges.
The total number of phones tapped, mainly of Congress leaders, government functionaries and journalists in violation of the Indian Telegraph Act, was over 1,300, said officials.
Of these, the home department had granted permission to tap only 170 phones, they said.
Regarding the Lok Sabha polls, the chief minister said the party was fully prepared and has given good candidates for all the four seats from the state.
He said the BJP has been winning from the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency since 1998. It is currently represented by Dhumal's son Anurag Thakur, a two-time winner.
He, however, said the saffron party has taken people for granted. He added: "We are hopeful of winning it this time."
Describing Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi's last week rally in the state a success, Virbhadra Singh said: "We may organise more such rallies and one of these may also be addressed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi."
"But personally, I am not in favour of holding many election rallies as these consume a lot of time, money and resources."
He said, "It's a hilly state, where the candidates have to reach out to people in the remotest of corners, which takes a lot of time."
Voting in the four constituencies -- Shimla (reserved), Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi -- in the hill state will take place May 7.
Rail Budget passed by Lok Sabha
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) The Railway Budget for 2015-16
Delhi polls between promise-keepers and liars: Amit Shah
New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) BJP president Amit Shah Thursday said the Delhi election was a fight be
BJP poses five queries to Kejriwal, AAP says party panicking (Lead)
New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) The BJP Thursday asked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal why he took support f
Government reaches out to opposition ahead of budget session
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) The NDA government Sunday reached out to the opposition ahead of the b
Modi's suit auction shameful, damage-control exercise: Congress
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suit auction as a "shameful exe
Hit-and-run case: Salman doesn't need to produce driving license
Mumbai, March 3 (IANS) In a relief for Salman Khan in the hit-and-run case, a Mumbai court on W
RR vs DC Playing 11: Delhi will have its eyes on victory against Rajasthan, Samson-Pant will compete
Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals, who started the IPL 2024 season with a defeat against Punjab Kin
Trade unions and farmers' organizations across the country have called for a nationwide strike to
On Twitter, the user told Sonu Sood 'Next Rajinikanth', the actor's reply will win your heart
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood is ruling the hearts of people with his work these days. Sonu is consta
A big revelation has been made in the report of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) regarding the
