The foundation stone-laying ceremony of the state’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in this nondescript village, about 15 km from Mandi town, turned out to be yet another “show of political opportunism” today. Leaders of both main political parties, the BJP and the Congress, tried their best to claim credit for the project.

The foundation stone-laying ceremony of the state’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) organised by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in this nondescript village, about 15 km from Mandi town, turned out to be yet another “show of political opportunism” today. Leaders of both main political parties, the BJP and the Congress, tried their best to claim credit for the project.

Political passion had almost reached a flashpoint among BJP and Congress workers, who had gathered in front of the dais, when Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal took the mike and urged party workers to observe silence and maintain law and order.

Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma, who laid the foundation stone, and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, who presided over the ceremony, tried their best to pacify workers of both parties. The police had to intervene to ensure a peaceful show.

IIT director Dr SC Saxena, who was to present the votes of thanks at the end of the ceremony, had not even started speaking when almost all political dignitaries left the dais, giving unpleasant experience to the learned gentry present there.

Mediapersons and the public had to wait for around 3 hours before the chief guests reached the venue around 2.45 pm.

Anand Sharma sang praise of the Nehru family and went on to add agenda of the HRD Ministry involving Rs 85,000 crore for setting up more IITs, IIITs, IIMs and polytechnics in the country to make India a global power. However, he did not spare a word for five-time CM Virbhadra Singh and went on to add that big venture like IITs were possible only through joint efforts.

Dhumal said better rural roads, the Rohtang tunnel, industrial package etc. were the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “All PMs have done their best and we hope to continue getting big projects in future as well,” he added.

Technical Education and Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said the IIT project became a reality due to the efforts of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

MLA and state unit president of the Congress Kaul Singh Thakur and Leader of Opposition Vidya Stokes gave credit for various big projects in the state to the UPA government at the Centre.