Shed egos, put up united face, Patil tells Congmen PAKISTANI WIFE ACCUSES VALLEY HUSBAND OF DOMESTIC ABUSE
Incharge of party affairs in HP says a factfinding panel will assess functioning of state leaders, who worked against official nominees in elections
SHIMLA :A day after former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh and his loyalist skipped crucial Congress meeting convened to discuss strategies for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for party affairs in Himachal, Rajni Patil, has asked the party leaders to shed ‘egos’.
Patil on Monday morning called on former Virbhadra at his residence Holy Lodge to discuss the road map for the upcoming elections. During an hour-long meeting, Virbhadra was flanked by his supporters, including Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mukesh Agnihotri, Badsar MLA Inderdutt Lakhan Pal, Sujanpur legislator Rajendra Rana, Renuka legislator Vinay Kumar, Rohru legislator Mohan Lal Brakta, Rampur legislator Nand Lal and Solan legislator Dhani Ram Shandil.
“I met Virbhadra Singh at his residence in the morning and discussed certain issues with him. Considering his seniority and age, we decided not to call him (Virbhadra) at the party office and I met him at his residence,” Patil said.
“Virbhadra had some reservations, to which I have taken a precise note and will convey his feelings to the party high command. Issues raised by him are not something that cannot be sorted out,” said the Congress in-charge for HP party affairs.
Virbhadra had been insisting party to remove state party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Patil, however, did not clarify whether the party will accede to his demand.
“Changes made in the party are not disclosed in the media. It’s just prerogative of party high command,” She said while replying to a query on Virbhadra Singh's toughened stance.
“He is a leader senior leader and there is a generation gap. We will iron out the issues raised by him,” she said, adding that Virbhadra had agreed to work for party’s welfare.
Patil had a clear message for the leaders and workers that they have to work for party's best interests. “We are formulating strategies for the upcoming polls. Whatever party leaders have achieved today is due to the Congress. Personal egos should not come in way of party ideologies and growth,” she said. Patil has, however, admitted to the factionalism in the party.
“Like any other party, there is some factionalism in Congress too,” she said, adding that she will tour all the assembly segments and hold consultations even with the booth-level workers.
She said the fact-finding committee will be set up in the state to assess the functioning of the leaders, who worked against the official nominees in different elections.
Patil further said the decision on their entry to the party will be taken only after evaluation.