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Sops for lower areas of Himachal

SHIMLA: To counter Opposition allegations of a regional bias in allotment of funds for the lower areas of the State, Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday disclosed that he has decided to open the newly allotted Central University in Kangra and the new IIT in Mandi district.

Though not divulging any further details, he said he had made up his mind and would stick to it.

Political observers here pointed out that the opposition BJP had launched its political campaign for the upcoming Himachal Assembly elections on the basic plea of a step-motherly treatment being meted out by the Congress Government to the lower areas or newly merged areas of the hill State.

In a clear political polarisation, all BJP stalwarts including former Chief Ministers Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal come from the lower hill areas and top Congress leaders including Mr. Virbhadra Singh come from the old or upper regions of the State.

The strength and presence of the respective parties in the two areas becomes the basis for this allegation.

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