HP Congress revokes suspension of 46 leaders

SHIMLA : In a bid to bolster its prospects in forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress on Saturday revoked suspension of as many as 46 Congress leaders including former legislators who were suspended from party for contesting against official nominees and for anti- party activities.

Decision to take back rebels was taken by three-member panel comprising the All India Congress Committee secretary Gurkirat Kotli, Congress octogenarian leader Vidya Stokes and former transport minister GS Bali. After deciding to take back rebels, party had asked leaders seeking re-entry to apply before the party.

Party had asked three-member disciplinary committee headed by former chief secretary AN Vidyarthi to screen applications and take a call. Nearly 160 leaders had applied. Three-member committee met yesterday at Rajiv Bhawan and screened the applications that were placed before the committee.

The party had received applications from 12 leaders who had contested polls against the official nominee in 2017 assembly elections.

Disciplinary committee has submitted list along with other relevant record for consideration of high level committee.

The committee gave its nod to admit Digvijay Puri from Dharamshala, Rajeev Gautam from Una, Shiv Haripal from Kutlehar, Rattan Singh Kashyap from Pacchad, Mast Ram from Karsog, Vijender Dhiman from Jwalamukhi and Punkaj Kumar.

The panel rejected application of Puran Chan,d who contested against Congress stalwart Kaul Singh Thakur from Darang and Bawa Hardeep Singh from Nalagarh.

Party had put the application on hold of former Shimla deputy mayor Harsha Janartha, former horticulture minister Singhi Ram and Rainder Karpa from Lahaul and Spiti.

“After deliberations on individual cases, the committee has approved 46 names for re-admission to the Congress party and kept few names on hold,” said state party chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore.

Committee rejected application of certain leaders against whom there was a strong opposition from Congressmen, he said.

The committee also rejected applications of leaders with criminal records.