Virbhadra blames Sukhu for Cong rout

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 24

Even as a stunned Congress is trying to come to terms with the humiliating defeat in the parliamentary polls, blame game has already begun with Virbhadra accusing Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu of weakening the organisation, resulting in the drubbing.

One had thought that Congress leaders would sink their differences and egos in the larger interest of the party, but the rift has once again come to the fore.

Virbhadra, who was instrumental in getting Sukhu removed as the state president, has blamed him for weakening the organisation, which according to him was the reason for the defeat.

In his reaction on the poll results, he said it was clearly an “organisational defeat.” He went on to say that had Sukhu been removed timely, the situation could have been different. Though wanting to make a direct attack on the issue of selection of candidates, he said new faces could have been fielded.

Sukhu, on the other hand, stated that the party workers should not get demoralised by the results. “This is not the time to indulge in blame game, but to introspect and move ahead to strengthen the organisation and work with renewed vigour,” he said without naming Virbhadra. Used to bashing by Virbhadra on numerous occasions, he said that was the former CM’s way of blessing him and he did not mind it.