At 89, Stokes enters poll fray
After announcing that she would opt out of the electoral fray, Congress’ seniormost leader, Vidya Stokes, filed her nomination from Theog on Monday even as the party finalised the name of Deepak Rathore .
Stokes made a last minute decision even as she was backing Vijay Pal Singh Khachi’s and another local leader’s candidature.
However, in the list released by the Congress party last week, PCC secretary Rathore’s name was finalised for the seat.
Rathore is considered close to party vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Stokes had earlier announced that she would vacate her seat for chief minister Virbhadra Singh who shifted to Arki from Shimla rural.
“It is at the insistence of local party workers that I reconsidered my decision. I still have that will and courage to serve the people of my constituency,” Stokes said after filing her nomination.
Stokes then attended a public meeting where she said that in her 48-year-long political career, she always remained committed to serving people .
Her nomination filing, however, remained a low-key affair unlike other leaders in Shimla district who filed papers with much pomp and show.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s heavyweights — former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and state party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu — also filed their nominations on Monday .
Virbhadra Singh’s son, Vikramaditya Singh, also filed his nomination from Shimla (rural) .
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