‘A lot to learn from Capt’

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 27

Many Congress leaders were surprised yesterday when Himachal MLA Asha Kumari was named the party incharge for poll-bound Punjab. A known detractor of HP Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Asha was sentenced to one-year imprisonment earlier this year in a 15-year-old land-grab case by a Chamba court. Though the High Court admitted her appeal staying the conviction, the development ensured that her new stint had a stormy start. The Dalhousie legislator and Sonia Gandhi confidante spoke to The Tribune. Excerpts from the interview:

When did you learn that you were being considered as the Congress incharge for Punjab?

Congress president Sonia Gandhi phoned me on June 23 to tell me that she had decided to appoint me as the incharge of Punjab affairs. I was shocked but happy. Soniaji said I would be the Punjab incharge just like PC Chacko is the Delhi incharge. Both states now have only incharges, no general secretaries.

You come with the baggage of a court conviction.

How can anyone grab her own father-in-law’s properties? It’s an absurd case which is under appeal in the High Court. BJP’s PK Dhumal had filed it and I had resigned from the Himachal Cabinet 11 years ago on moral grounds, opting to work in the Congress organisation. Since then I have won all my elections. I have been the AICC secretary since March 4, 2011, having handled Jharkhand and Haryana. Why was the BJP silent then?

Capt Amarinder Singh is a strong leader. Will you be able to get along with him?

I don’t see much difference between Virbhadra Singh and Amarinder. Both are honestly outspoken leaders. I have worked with Virbhadra in Himachal and with Amarinder when he was the CM and I was the AICC observer for the state. I have also worked with former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the AICC secretary for Haryana. I won’t find it difficult to work with Capt. There’s a lot to learn from him.

Has your experience with regional satraps landed you the Punjab job?

I don’t know, but I have worked with leaders such as Virbhadra, Capt, Hooda and Shibu Soren.

You are a known Virbhadra detractor. Does your new role reflect the Congress’ urge to groom you for an HP role?

I am not his detractor. I have a difference of opinion with the people around him. Also, no one wishes to replace him. The Himachal CLP (Congress Legislature Party) wants Virbhadra to lead the party in the next elections. He is the only politician alive today who sat on the treasury side with the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru. He brings much to the table. We only hope winnable candidates are fielded in the next Himachal polls.

Plans for Punjab? Have you spoken to Amarinder?

I am trying to get in touch with him. I am told he is away till July 4, after which we will call the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee meeting. My role will be to execute the already planned Punjab election campaign and ensure that no one feels left out.