Provoked by the Congress criticism outside the House, Chief Minister said after the issue was raised in the Assembly he had acted promptly and written a letter to Union Home Minister L. K. Advani, seeking Centre's immediate intervention to give Himachal its share in the buildings and other assets of Chandigarh. There was no question of giving up the share, which was legally due under the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, on population basis, he added.

Making a suo-moto statement in the Assembly, Dhumal accused the Congress leaders of distorting the facts and proceedings of the House to mislead the people on the issue. He reminded that when Chander Sen, BJP MLA, had moved the resolution in the Assembly on April 1, it was unanimously resolved that the state government should continue its efforts to resolve the matter with the Centre, through informal and other means at various forums.

Dhumal also went on record to state that senior Congress legislator J. B. L. Khachi and CLP leader Virbhadra Singh had also agreed to the suggestion that passing of resolution by the Assembly would not be a fruitful exercise. "None of the members had voiced any dissent," he recalled.Conveying his displeasure over the twisting of the facts, especially relating to the proceedings, Dhumal said his government holds the capacity to get contentious issues resolved through mutual dialogue and without adopting a confrontationist attitude, either against the Centre or the neighbouring states.

He accused the Congress of dropping the Chandigarh issue as there was no mention of it in the case filed in the Supreme Court under Punjab Reorganisation Act.Dhumal said during his visit to Anandpur Sahib two days back, he had held discussion with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh asking them to release more money for Thein Dam oustees' rehabilitation.

Earlier, when Chief Minister started reading out his statement, senior Parliamentarian J. B. L. Khachi intervened to advise Dhumal that he should not take cognisance of the statements made outside the House as everyone was aware that resolution was withdrawn after unanimity on the issue. But former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh claimed his party had supported the resolution moved by Chander Sen and the Congress stood for its share in Chandigarh. He refused to acknowledge the achievements of BJP-HVC government in settling some of the pending issues with Punjab. Virbhadra Singh was also supported by Kaul Singh Thakur who said, "There is no question of giving up the share.

"Dhumal, reacting to the Virbhadra Singh's remark said the BJP was committed to protect the interests of the state and sort out contentious issues. He reminded Virbhadra that he had not supported the cause of the state when former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar had started struggle to get Himachal's share from the Centre.