Virbhadra Singh apologises for threatening mediapersons New Delhi: The Congress's chief ministerial candidate for Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh, on Wednesday apologised for threatening mediapersons earlier in the day, explaining that he lost his cool amidst the flurry of questions from the press. Virbhadra had threatened to break the cameras of the mediapersons, when questioned about the allegations of corruption against him.

Apologising, Virbhadra said, "I respect the media and the press. They are doing their job. I am sorry if someone feels offended." Virbhadra then proceeded to attack the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party saying that the party was losing ground in the state and hence, trying to divert attention by levelling corruption allegations against him.

"All allegations against me are wrong," he said. "I strongly deny all the charges against me. This is character assassination. I will file a defamation case. I can tolerate anything but not false allegations of corruption against me," he added. He further mentioned that he had given full account of his financial records to the I-T department and that if it found any discrepancies, it could ask him.

BJP leader Arun Jaitley on Tuesday had alleged that Singh altered his income tax account books from 2008 onwards to show a forged, back-dated contract and a highly inflated income of around Rs 6.5 crore. Singh had recently come under the scanner following allegations that he had received payments from a steel company which had come to light after raids were conducted on the firm in 2010....

BJP seeks inquiry into Virbhadra's tax returns New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday turned the spotlight on the Congress's chief ministerial candidate for Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh and sought an inquiry into Singh's tax returns and alleged land scams ahead of the elections. The BJP also hit back at the Congress by raking up the corruption accusations against Singh. "Surprised and shocked by the news about my income and Income Tax returns. Surprised and...  
12:37 PM, Oct 23, 2012