HAMIRPUR: The controversy over the hanging of the photo of senior BJP leader and former chief minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal in the office of President of local Civic body has raised a new controversy following issuance of a notice to the civic body by the Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur. Dhumal is also a sitting MP from Hamirpur seat.

Deputy Commissioner,  Nandita Gupta has issued a notice to the civic body following a complaint by Dhani Ram Shukla, the general secretary of the state BSP that by displaying the photo of Prem Kumar Dhumal in his office, the President of the civic body has violated the provisions of the Model code of conduct for the Vidhan sabha elections.

Sharply reacting over the letter of the Deputy Commissioner, the President of the Civic body, Deep Kumar has justified his action of hanging the portrait of Prof. Dhumal in his office. He clarified in his reply to the Deputy Commissioner that it was his prerogative to hang the photo of his party leader in his office. He said that if it was wrong to hang the portrait of the BJP leader, what should be the fate of other photos of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Chief Minister, Vir Bhadra Singh that were also put up in his office.

Talking to the Pioneer, Deep Kumar said that there was no violation of Model code of conduct regarding the hanging of photo of Prof. Dhumal in his office and if this photo was to be removed then this principle was to be followed all over state, where pictures of the chief minister and other Congress leaders were also hanging in almost all government/ corporation and other offices. It is worth mentioning here that Hamirpur Civic body is in control of the BJP and Deeap Kumar is one of the senior local leaders of the party.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner,  has deputed her Assistant Commissioner to enquire into this issue and submit him a detailed report. The enquiry officer was not available for comments being out of station.