No change in HP Cong, Sukhu, CM to work in tandem: Shinde
SHIMLA: In an attempt to de-escalate the rising factionalism within its ranks, the Congress on Friday announced that Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh will remain in power and that the upcoming assembly elections in the state will be contested by the party collectively.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and party in charge for Himachal Pradesh, Sushil Kumar Shinde, made this announcement on the last day of his three-day Shimla visit. Shinde made it clear that neither will the party remove Virbhadra nor are will it replace state party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
“There will be no change in command (ahead of the polls). The party is geared up for the elections,” Shinde said.
However, he admitted that there was lack of coordination between the state government and the party organisation and added that he that he, along with Himachal Pradesh co-incharge Ranjit Ranjan, discussed the matter with Virbhadra and Sukhu to work out plan for better coordination.
“To resolve this, we have worked out a plan wherein the chief minister and state party chief will meet regularly to discuss party matters. The CM will devote additional time in the party office and the state chief will also meet the CM in his office,” Shinde said, in an attempt to bring the two leaders of the same plank. Shinde added that the meeting was held in a “cordial” manner and that the reservations that the two leaders had, “have been addressed”.
Recounting his earlier tenure as the Congress in charge for Himachal in the early 1990’s when factionalism was ripe in the state unit, Shinde said, “I have seen times when senior leaders Virbhadra Singh, Vidya Stokes and Sukhram squabbled with each other. However, they reunited later.”
Shinde concluded his threeday state visit and said he has asked all Congress leaders to “burry their differences” and “work collectively for the party’s victory”.
FACTIONALISM AS USUAL IN PARTY
Meanwhile, heated scenes were witnessed when Congress legislators met here on Thursday to discuss the party’s strategy for polls.
Legislators loyal to the CM demanded that the central leadership should announce a single-line leadership in the state. Congress legislators Sanjay Rattan and others complained about transport minister GS Bali for allegedly interfering in their constituencies. The CM too made a veiled attack on Bali who in turn threatened to walk away from the meet.
The reservations that the two leaders had, have been addressed. The party will fight the upcoming elections collectively. SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE, AICC general secretary