Difference of opinion in a party is a sign of healthy democracy

SHIMLA: Having made his way from student politics to state’s political arena, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu managed to complete his five-year tenure even after stiff opposition from chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Sukhu, who has risen from the ranks, is known for taking a tough call on party matters and has been credited for strengthening the party at the grassroots. Sukhu, who was recently removed as the campaign committee head, says that he has no differen- ces with the chief minister. Sukhu is contesting elections from Nadaun assembly seat for the fourth time.

During your tenure as the party chief, you had differences with Virbhadra Singh. He had publicly criticised you.

The Congress party witnessed transition and transformation in my five-year term. I worked to strengthen the organisation which was a challenge for me. In a healthy democracy, one can have differences of opinion but I have no personal conflicts with anybody. I dissolved 47 block units after the party suffered a debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha election and fixed the age of 45 years as the maximum age limit for the block presidents. The CM is an elderly person and I respect him. I don’t mind what he says. I am only accountable to the

party high command. Unlike BJP, Congress gives little preference to women candidates while allotting tickets. Congress has fielded more women candidates in the panchayati raj institution elections. 58% of them won the election. Our Rajya Sabha member is also a woman. Three women candidates have been fielded by the Congress.

Why did you enter poll fray despite facing resistance from CM Virbhadra?

I did not become a party president overnight. I have paved my way to the politics. Every post has its sanctity. Time and again, leaders continued to cast aspersions on my electoral politics. I am not new to this. I have risen from the ranks. Throughout my political career, I have contested 11 elections that include the college SCA election, Shimla MC election and was elected twice for the Vidhan Sabha. Ethically, I believe in leading the organisation from the front and as a head of the party, I took a conscious call to contest.

Will the tussle for power impact party’s prospect in elections? You were removed from the campaign committee at the last moment.

There is no power tussle in the Congress. By the virtue of post, Virbhadra Singh now heads the campaign committee. In other states too, it’s the CM who is the head of such committees.

SUKHU, WHO HAS RISEN FROM THE RANKS, IS KNOWN FOR TAKING A TOUGH CALL ON PARTY MATTERS