Unity in Congress a tough task for Rajni

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 16

AICC incharge Rajni Patil’s week-long state tour to rejuvenate party workers has failed to forge unity as differences between former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and state party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu dominated all functions during the period.

Patil has been entrusted with the responsibility of forging unity in the “divided” Congress. She has admitted differences between the senior leaders, but said these would be ironed out.

Although the party’s leaders and workers came out in large numbers, the feud between Virbhadra and Sukhu proved to be a dampener.

Patil addressed workers’ conventions in Dharamsala, Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Theog, Solan and Nahan. While Virbhadra, who was reluctant to share the dais with Sukhu, skipped the first four meetings, he attended those at Theog, Solan and Nahan.

Virbhadra, who has been seeking the ouster of Sukhu, also raised objection to being called “margdarshak” and said he was far more active than others.

He also raked up the issue of party office-bearers, right from the president to block-level functionaries, being nominated and not elected. “Till the senior leadership does not bridge its differences, there is no point holding such functions, said a senior leader.

She is also learnt to have taken feedback from the party men on the most suitable candidate to be fielded for the Lok Sabha elections.

Besides forging unity in the party, Patil also faces the arduous task of ensuring that everyone works for the success of the party candidates in the Lok Sabha polls.

The Congress also faces an uphill task of performing well in the elections as the BJP had won all four seats in the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Besides, senior leaders within the districts, especially in Kangra and Mandi, too have differences which could adversely impact the party’s prospects in the elections. Now it remains to be seen how Patil will forge unity in the party before the polls.