Virbhadra 'not disturbed' by vigilance probe

"The HP state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau is acting as a tool in the hands of chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal... I am not disturbed by the comments of its director D S Manhas that chargesheet against me in the CD case will be filed in 6-8 weeks," Singh said.

"Why 6-8 weeks they shall do it tomorrow," the veteran Congress leader said and repeated his old statement that the CD issued by former Congress minister Vijay Singh Mankotia alleging him and his wife Pratibha Singh of indulging in corrupt practises was "tampered and concocted".

"I have no reason to fear... there is no truth in the CD," said Singh, whose removal from the Union cabinet was demanded by the BJP after an FIR was registered against him and his wife by the vigilance department on August 3.

On state vigilance giving clean chit to Dhumal's close confidante and former chairman of state media advisory committee Rajinder Singh Rana in a call girls scandal, Singh, who served as state chief minister five times in the past, said this was another example to prove that the bureau was "playing in the hands of the CM."

Repeating Congress demand, Singh also sought a CBI probe into the incident to "expose" the "misdeeds" of the BJP government in the hill state.

Virbhadra alleged that Dhumal was behind the "conspiracy" to "tarnish my image" through the CD. "Dhumal uses this false propaganda only during election time," he said, adding that since the bypolls to Rohroo and Jwali assembly seats in the state were expected in November, the issue has again been raked against me.

Singh said the CD case would "boomerang" on the BJP in the coming by-election to Rohroo, part of his Bushare royalty in the Shimla district. Singh, who returned here late last night after four days tour of Rohroo, said people are very angry with the CM on CD issue and have decided to teach him a lesson in the bypoll.

The Union minister alleged that the state government was "neglecting" development of Rohroo due to political rivalry with him. Singh's wife Pratibha Singh is all set to fight on a Congress ticket from Rohroo seat. BJP on the other hand has decided to field Khusiram Balnatah from the seat. Balnatah has been contesting unsuccessfully against Singh on the seat since 1993.