No organisational set-up in HP Cong, says Virbhadra
Soon after the Congress Presidential candidate Meira Kumar left for Chandigarh, the party’s infighting was brought to the fore again as chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu overtly attacked each other.
After the Congress Legislator Party meeting, the CM questioned the working and efficiency of Congress in the state. “Is there an organisation (in Congress) in the state,” he questioned.
While Sukhu reacted sharply to Virbhadra casting aspersion on the organisation. he said, “As far as the CM’s comment that organisation is not visible in the state, I would like to clarify that the unit at the district, block and booth level not only exist, but are functioning towards improving the party’s prospect in elections.”
“Had we won three seats of the four falling in CM’s Shimla rural segment, we would have formed the municipal corporation House,” said Sukhu. He refrained from commenting on Major Vijai Singh Mankotia’s comments against Virbhadra.
All India Congress Committee general secretary and in-charge for party affairs in Himachal, Ambika Soni, who accompanied Kumar, however, parried questions on intra-party squabble in Congress. “I will not comment on this. I am here to seek vote for Meira Kumar,” said she, adding that she will soon visit the state to take stock to the party affairs.
Transport minister GS Bali, who was absent during Meira Kumar’s press briefing, later strolled on Shimla’s Mall Road with Major Vijai Singh Mankotia and CPS Rajesh Dharmani. Bali, Dharmani and Mankotia later visited the state tourist corporation-run ‘Ashiana’ restaurant for a cup of tea.
‘LISTEN TO CONSCIENCE’
The United Progressive Alliance’s (UPA) Presidential nominee Meira Kumar described the election for the highest post as a ’battle’ between two ideologies, here on Monday.
Kumar was in Shimla to seek votes of the legislators for the Presidential polls and was accompanied by chief minister Virbhadra Singh, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ambika Soni and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid. “It is for the first time that Presidential elections are being fought between two ideologies,” she said.
She said, “I have urged all the MPs and MLAs, across parties, to listen to their conscience before casting their vote.”