Cong fails to placate rebels, expels seven from party
SHIMLA: After failing to placate rebels, the Congress on Saturday showed the door to seven partymen, including three loyalists of chief minister Virbhadra Singh, who are contesting as independents against the party’s official nominees.
On the recommendations of AICC general secretary in-charge of Himachal Pradesh, the party expelled former Shimla deputy mayor and Virbhadra’s close aide Harish Janartha who is contesting as an independent candidate from Shimla. Janartha was vice- chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).
The party also expelled another Virbhadra loyalist Hardeep Baba, who is in the fray as an independent from the Nalagarh segment. Baba was vice-chairman of Himachal Pradesh Building and other Workers Welfare Board. Another is party’s former state vice-president Puran Chand who is contesting as independent from Mandi’s Drang against party’s official nominee and health minister Kaul Singh Thakur. Chand is also considered close to Virbhadra. He has been expelled from the party for six years.
Six-time MLA and ex-minister Singhi Ram, who is contesting as an independent, was also expelled for six years. Former minister Vijai Singh Mankotia, known for his love-and-hate relationship with Virbhadra, has also been expelled for contesting election as an independent from Shahpur. Mankotia was chairman of tourism development board for almost five years.
Congress rebel from Palampur Beni Prasad was expelled from party. Rajinder Karpa, party rebel from Lahaul and Spiti, was also shown the door for six years. Karpa was vice-president of the district unit of the party. The party had constituted a panel comprising AICC general secretary Ambika Soni, Sushil Kumar Shinde and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda.