Congress high command to decide on Pratibha Singh’s LS poll candidature: Rajeev Shukla

Shukla was talking to reporters after attending the Himachal Pradesh Congresss Coordination committee’s first meeting held at Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh, on Wednesday.

The six-member committee was formed by the Congress to ensure better coordination between its Himachal Pradesh government and party organisation after the Rajya Sabha poll debacle earlier.

Mandi MP Pratibha Singh had recently said that she had decided not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls as the situation on the ground was “not favourable” and the party workers were disheartened.

However, after attending the meeting, Pratibha told mesdiapersons, “I have conveyed my decision and reason to not contest the Lok Sabha polls to all leaders present at the meeting. Bypolls will also take place and I have to perform my duties for that too. The final decision about my candidature from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat will, however, be taken by the party high command.”

Sources added that the committee members urged Pratibha Singh to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Mandi from where BJP has fielded actor Kangana Ranaut. Upcoming byelections in the six vidhan sabha assemblies were also discussed.

Himachal deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, who also attended the meeting, said that Pratibha should contest the Lok Sabha elections. “I personally believe that she should contest as she is the Congree state unit chief.” On the six Congress rebels joining the BJP, the deputy chief minister claimed that there would be rebellion in the saffron party now. He added that “there is no threat to our government”.

Pratibha, however, declined to comment on the ongoing row over the purported comment on Ranaut from the social media handle of Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.

When asked about their poll prospects, Sukhu said, “We will win all 10 seats (in Himachal Pradesh) — four in the Lok Sabha and six in the Assembly bypolls.” The Congress government in the hill state is going strong and will complete its term, he asserted.

Asked if Singh will contest the Lok Sabha polls, Shukla said such decisions will be taken by the party high command. “She has left it to the high command and said she will abide by its decision,” the Congress leader said.

Asked about some Congress leaders switching over to the BJP ahead of the general election, Shukla said such developments take place during polls.

The committee headed by Himachal Congress in-charge Rajeev Shukla also includes HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, HP Congress chief Pratibha Singh, deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil and former ministers Kaul Singh Thakur and Ram lal Thakur Ram Lal.

With PTI inputs