Congress wants to close Sardar Patel University: Himachal BJP president Rajeev Bindal

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 9 (ANI): Amid the Sardar Patel University row in Himachal Pradesh, state BJP president Rajeev Bindal claimed that the Congress government wants to close the university in Mandi since the saffron party had won nine out of 10 seats in the district.
"The Congress government wants to close this university and before closing it, efforts are being made to make it hollow by removing the colleges affiliated to this university. This is because nine out of 10 MLAs in Mandi have won the election on the BJP's symbol. The Congress party is busy punishing the people of Mandi," the state BJP president said.
Recently, the Himachal Pradesh government decided to disaffiliate 80 colleges from Sardar Patel University in Mandi and affiliate them to other universities in the state. This move received sharp criticism from the BJP which is in opposition in the state. 
"This decision is extremely painful for Himachal Pradesh. This is injustice and deception to the people of Mandi," Bindal said.
The university was opened by the former BJP government in the state for the Mandi region.
"Thousands of students benefited after this university opened. There was a reduction in the expenses. Students did not have to bear the expense of getting their degrees from another university. The number of students receiving university-level education increased in the area," the state BJP president said.
Justifying the need for having the Sardar Patel University in the Mandi region, he said, "The area of Mandi is spread far and wide. Not only Mandi but also colleges in Kullu and Lahaul Spiti districts were affiliated with Sardar Patel University. So it is unfortunate that 80 colleges have been now been removed from the jurisdiction of Sardar Patel University," Rajeev Bindal said.
Slamming the Congress government in the state, the state BJP president said, "The Congress government has only closed institutions ever since it came to power nine months back. This government has already closed 1500 institutions. It is sad that hospitals, Primary Health Centres, Patwar circles are being closed. The Congress government is playing with the interests of the people of this area. A conspiracy has been hatched to close Sardar Patel University. The Bharatiya Janata Party will not accept this under any circumstances."
Earlier, hitting out at these allegations of closing the University, Chief Minister Sukhu said, "Sardar Patel University was opened in Mandi to take advantage during the elections without the provision of a budget. It has not been closed. Only, the scope of the university has been reduced." (ANI)