Himachal crisis: Placated by Congress’s central observers, Vikramaditya Singh says he will not press for his resignation

Pratibha Chauhan

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Shimla, February 28

The crisis management team of the Congress, including Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda seem to have managed to placate PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh, at least for the time being.

Earlier in the day, Vikramaditya Singh announced that he is quitting from the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led cabinet, but hours later he said that he will not press for his resignation.

The Congress observers later met Sukhu, state Congress chief Pratibha Singh and her son Vikramaditya Singh.

“Since the party organisation is more important than individual so I have decided not to press my resignation. In the larger interest and unity of the party I will not pursue it any further,” he said.

He added there should be a positive and constructive approach and it is duty of each one of us to strengthen the party to be able to serve the people of the state.

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said the central observers including Shivakumar, Hooda and former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel are holding talks with party leaders.

“They first of all met Pratibha Singh and other MLAs. Vikramaditya has also agreed that he will not press for his resignation as he has also been assured by the CM that his grievances will be addressed,” said Shukla.

The party observers who have been appointed by the high command to resolve the crisis, arrived here on Wednesday to prevent the collapse of the Congress government.

They along with Congress affairs incharge Rajeev Shukla held parleys with CM Sukhu, Pratibha Singh and Vikramaditya at a private hotel here.

The series of meeting with ministers and party MLAs continued late into the night as desperate efforts are being made to diffuse the situation.

Sensing the threat of further poaching of its 34 remaining MLAs by the BJP, the endeavour of these leaders is to placate and address their grievances.

The high command is already aware of the discontent brewing among party MLAs who are reportedly unhappy with the style of functioning of the CM and they being ignored.

With Vikramaditya Singh tendering his resignation and openly airing his grouse against the CM and for being slighted, the effort now is to placate him.

Even though Sukhu has said that the resignation of Vikramaditya Singh had not been accepted but the high command will now be very cautious on any issues raised by the party MLAs.