4 former Cong presidents pat Sukhu

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 15

Even as the high command has taken a serious view of the political slugfest between senior leaders, four former Congress state presidents along with many legislators and former MLAs today issued a statement, lauding the strengthening of the party organization during the term of Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

The new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Kuldeep Rathore today said that the high command had taken a very serious view of the manner in which senior leaders were trading charges and taking potshots at each other. “The high command has sought a detailed report on the ongoing tussle and statements made by senior leaders,” he said. He also urged all senior leaders to exercise restraint and not go to the media to hit out against each other.

Senior leaders and former HPCC presidents – Vidya Stokes, Kaul Singh Thakur, Viplove Thakur, Kuldeep Kumar and AICC secrataries Rajesh Dharmani and Rakesh Kalia today lauded the work done by Sukhu for strengthening the party and giving opportunity to youth to assume important responsibilities. “Sukhu has energized and strengthened the party at every level and held dharnas and protests all over the state which will certainly help in taking on the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls,” they said in an unsigned joint statement. They also advised everyone not to make irresponsible statements.

The statement also had the name of MLAs - Ram Lal Thakur, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Anirudh Singh, Lakhwinder Rana, Sunder Thakur and Satpal Raizada. Other names included those of former MLAs- Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Sohan Lal, Ravi Thakur, Ajay Mahajan and Kishori Lal. They said the Congress is fully united and will defeat the BJP.

The manner in which the former Chief Minister and Sukhu have hit out at each other and a majority of the senior leaders, including MLAs coming out in support of the two, has led to a virtual split of the party. This kind of exchange of words at a time when the party should be preparing for the Lok Sabha elections could prove to be very damaging for the party.

Support for Sukhu

Senior leaders and former HPCC presidents – Vidya Stokes, Kaul Singh Thakur, Viplove Thakur, Kuldeep Kumar and AICC secrataries Rajesh Dharmani and Rakesh Kalia today lauded the work done by Sukhu for strengthening the party and giving opportunity to youth to assume   important responsibilities.