ED has registered a money laundering case against Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). (Press Trust of India photo)
BJP today demanded resignation of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after Enforcement Directorate registered money laundering case against him, and questioned "silence" of Congress over the issue.
ED has registered a money laundering case against Mr Singh under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after taking cognisance of a criminal complaint filed by the CBI in this regard in September.
Describing the Congress silence over it as "shameful", BJP said the Sonia-led party has tried to dismiss the corruption charges against Mr Singh.
"BJP has been taking up the issue of corruption against the chief minister while Congress has not only kept quiet but also tried to white wash the charges against him," party secretary and in-charge of Himachal Pradesh Srikant Sharma said in a statement.
"The silence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi in such a serious case of corruption is shameful. They are very active in making tall claim and do nothing when it comes to corruption," the statement added.
Taking on Mr Singh, the longest serving chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, BJP said he has lost moral right to remain on his post and should resign immediately.
Referring to the Congress stand on corruption during the last Parliament session, BJP said, "It has also exposed the double standard of Congress as it has disrupted the monsoon session on the issue of alleged corruption involving NDA leaders."
Asking the Congress to take action, BJP said, "If there is any morality left in the top brass of Congress then it must force Singh to resign."