Unlucky spell

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, considered one of the Congress' most powerful CMs, is reeling under a spell of bad luck. The 81-year-old politician's sixth innings as chief minister has seen him fend off a series of corruption allegations. As things stand, he is still trying to get over a September raid of his residence by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a disproportionate assets case against him. To top it all, the state is in a spot, with its once flourishing hydel power projects finding no takers. An anxious Singh has called a two-day meeting of investors, 'Emerging Himachal', in New Delhi to woo investment by offering a slew of incentives, including full exemption from luxury tax, stamp duty and central sales tax.