Shinde not the final authority: CM

SHIMLA: Even as Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today admitted that his relations with the Congress high command had still not reached a breaking point, he was candid enough to state that AICC general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde, who had said the state Congress president would not be changed, was not the final authority.

The CM has had serious differences with HPCC state chief Sukhwinder Sukhu on several party issues from day one.

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 13

Even as Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today admitted that his relations with the Congress high command had still not reached a breaking point, he was candid enough to state that AICC general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde, who had said the state Congress president would not be changed, was not the final authority.

Waging a battle for supremacy, the Congress veteran refused to divulge his future plans. “It is a million-dollar question,” was all he said when asked if he would contest the Assembly elections. Despite the six-time Chief Minister seeking a free hand in the elections and change of Congress president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, the party high command is yet to oblige him.

“The Congress has been my home for the last 65 years and I can’t think of any other place as my home. I am still in a dilemma whether to contest elections or just campaign,” said Virbhadra. He said he could not meet the high command as he had been a very busy schedule but he would do so soon.

He said he belonged to an era where everyone right from the AICC president to all other office-bearers were elected, but now times had changed and everyone was being thrust from above.

He added that he did not have any personal differences with anyone, but there were certain policy decisions such as appointment of party functionaries on which he differed.

Virbhadra has had serious differences with Sukhu on several party issues from day one and the CM has been demanding his removal.

“Coming to power is the wishful thinking of the BJP. I have sprung surprises in the past and will do it again,” he said.

In reply to a query that the BJP had launched “Hisaab Mange Himachal” campaign targeting him, Virbhadra said all cases against him were false and fabricated. “The manner in which the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department are probing the same case makes it obvious that this is an attempt to intimidate and humiliate me,” he said.

‘In dilemma over contesting poll’

‘It is a million-dollar question,’ was all CM said when asked if he would contest the Assembly elections.

The Congress has been my home for the last 65 years and I can't think of any other place as my home. I am still in a dilemma whether to contest elections or just campaign. — Virbhadra Singh, CM