Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister-designate, Jai Ram Thakur, on Monday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was against accommodating ‘retired and tired’ officials.

In an interaction with media persons, Thakur, who will take oath as 13^th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 27 December, said the government will probe the important allegations in the chargesheet submitted by the BJP, while in opposition, against previous Congress government. “However, our government has no intention to work with vendetta,” he clarified.

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He said the BJP government will review the decisions taken by the previous Congress government in last three months. “Lot of questions have been raised on law and order situation in the state. Our government’s utmost priority would be to take steps to improve the law and order situation,” he said.

He expressed concern over the Gudia case and said the previous government had not shown will to take it to the logical end. “The BJP government will ensure that justice is delivered,” he said.

Thakur, who was elected the leader of BJP Legislature Party on Sunday, started on a benevolent note and distributed fruits in Ripon hospital to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and later attended a blood donation camp organised by Umang Foundation.

“The party leadership has given me a big responsibility and I will come up to the expectations of people and the party,” he said.

Thakur hinted that his Cabinet would be a mix and match of experienced and new faces. He however did not drop any hint on the names, when asked about former Congress minister, Anil Sharma from Mandi (who had  switched to BJP before polls and has won) in the context of chargesheet and his claim for ministry in BJP government, the CM-designate said, “His name was not directly involved.”

On the BJP government’s stand on appointment of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen (which the BJP criticised while in opposition), he said, “We will see this in view of colleagues, who have played important role in government formation. It’s a party’s subject.”

Thakur said the BJP government will ensure that the central projects, which were not being implemented properly in previous Congress regime, for lack of interest, are effectively implemented.

Asked about the poor financial situation of the state, he said to bring out white paper on state’s financial health was not the solution. “We will work out ways for resource mobilisation and cut down on unnecessary expenses,” he said.

Thakur committed to reduce the VIP culture in Himachal Pradesh.

PM Modi, Shah to attend oath taking ceremony

Jai Ram Thakur said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and party President, Amit Shah will attend the oath ceremony on 27 December on the Ridge.

He said confirmation has so far confirmation has come from CMs and Deputy CMs from ten states.