Rahul has to accept Himachal rejected him, says Jairam Thakur

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on 30 December took a jibe at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his 'party's internal disharmony responsible for defeat' comment.

"I don't want to comment on Rahul Gandhi's statement, but he has to accept that the public of Himachal Pradesh has rejected him, and has supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to make government here," Thakur told ANI.

In his assessment of the party's defeat, Rahul Gandhi had, on Friday, said that Congress was defeated 'only by Congress.'

With the BJP replacing Congress in the state, the corruption cases against former chief minister Virbhadra Singh were expected to see a speedy trial. Thakur, however, maintained that the government would not work with the motive of revenge.

"The cases are pending in the court and the government doesn't need to do anything from its end. I have previously also said that our government will not work with the motive of revenge," Thakur said.

The chief minister also said that "decisions taken with the intention of political gains in the last six months" would be reconsidered and weighed on the basis of merit.

He further assured that the government would try to strictly maintain law and order in the state so that cases like that of Gudiya gang-rape in Kothkai town that happened earlier this year do not happen again.

Thakur was elected the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after BJP won the election for the 68-member Assembly this month.

-ANI