Shinde in attendance, Cong tries to put up united show

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 18

The Congress tried to put up a united show here today in the presence of AICC general secretary and Himachal Pradesh Congress in charge Sushil Kumar Shinde, who said the Congress was united to take on the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections due at the end of the year.

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhari, Rural Development Minister Anil Sharma, chief parliamentary secretaries Mansa Ram and Sohan Lal, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, former Telecom Minister Sukh Ram were present on the occasion. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh accompanied Shinde on the stage.

Talking to reporters Shinde claimed that the Congress was united to defeat the BJP in the forthcoming Assembly elections for which he is visiting each district to analyse the situation.

He refrained from giving a direct reply to thequery over party’s CM candidate but indirectly indicated that the Virbhadra would lead the election campaign.

He said ever since after he took charge of the Congress in the state, the differences within party leaders had been reduced and all workers were working collectively to strengthen the party.

Shinde indicated that he had succeeded in improving the sour relations between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who were earlier busy in targeting each other.

He said the Congress workers would take the development message of the state government at grass root level, adding that the party was united. Every party worker had the right to vent grievances at party forum.

The ticket will be allotted on the collective recommendation of the state government and party organisation.

He called upon party workers to work hard to ensure the win of Congress in the election.

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur said there was need to forget individual differences and unite for the sake of the party. The Congress had undertaken big development in the state and there was wave in favor of party.

Rural Development Minister Anil Sharma also spoke. Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhari advocated that there is need to give free hand to the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to ensure the win of party.

Sukhu told party workers that the elections would be a litmus test for them and they will have to work hard for the success of party.