CM, HPCC rift comes to fore again

MANDI: The rift between the government and the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) came to the fore when Chief Minister Virbhadra again raised the issue of nominated party office-bearers from the dais during Sankalp Rally at Kansa Chowk in Balh today, where a large number of people were gathered from different parts of the district.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Youth Congress president Vikramaditya Singh, Excise Minister Prakash Chaudhary and Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes during a rally at Kansa Chowk in Mandi on Sunday. Photo: Jai Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 19

The rift between the government and the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) came to the fore when Chief Minister Virbhadra again raised the issue of nominated party office-bearers from the dais during Sankalp Rally at Kansa Chowk in Balh today, where a large number of people were gathered from different parts of the district.

“I oppose this nomination system for party office-bearers. They should be elected through a proper election system in the party,” said Virbhadra. He ridiculed the nominated office-bearers and said many were not even well known in their neighbourhood. However, his comment embarrassed the nominated candidates sitting on the stage, but the Chief Minister tried to give a strong message to HPCA chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu that there would be no benefit to the party from such nominated candidates in elections.

The differences cropped up between the Chief Minister and the HPCA chief over the induction of party office-bearers through the nomination system.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Irrigation and Public Health Minister Vidya Stokes, Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary, Youth Congress president Vikramaditya Singh and other on the dias.

Virbhadra Singh also targeted the BJP. He alleged that BJP leaders divided the people in the name of religion, cast, creed and region. He accused the BJP leadership of hatching a conspiracy against the state government and was trying to stop the grant from the Centre.

He said the claims of the NITI Aayog to building strong Centre-state relations had failed as the states were not taken into confidence before the formation of th aayog.

He urged people to support Congress candidates during the elections this year to ensure development of the state. He added that during the Congress regime, a number of educational and health institutions were opened, besides construction of roads and water schemes.

He said all demands raised by Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhary for Balh would be fulfilled and urged the people to support him in the elections.