Journalism of Courage
Former Cabinet minister Haroon Yusuf is tipped to be the new Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader. The meeting to choose the leader is scheduled on Saturday.
On December 18,Arvinder Singh Lovely,also a member of Sheila Dikshits Cabinet,was appointed president of the Congresss state unit in Delhi. He replaced J P Agarwal,who resigned on December 15 citing moral grounds after the partys drubbing in the Assembly elections.
Both Lovely who is the youngest PCC chief and Yusuf are considered close to Dikshit. After her defeat,she had publicly lashed out at Agarwal and blamed him for not backing her enthusiastically.
Dikhits continued importance was indicated by Lovelys appointment and if Yusuf does become the CLP leader,Congress leaders said this would only underscore the importance of Dikshits position in the party. Dont think even for a second that Sheila Dikshit is out of the picture, the leader said.
After Congresss defeat,the partys strength in the 70-member Assembly has come down from 43 in 2008 to just eight this year. Dikshit lost to AAPs Arvind Kejriwal by more than 25,000 votes.
On the day of the defeat,the partys state headquarters wore a deserted look. Corridors were empty and rooms were locked. Now,days before Kejriwal takes up the reigns in Delhi,with Congress support,the DPCC is a site of frenzied activity. With a fresh coat of paint,polished floors,a new board and leadership,the DPCC is trying to evolve in these changed times.
Soon after Lovely replaced Agarwal,a board featuring Agarwal at the entrance of the state headquarters was taken down and replaced with another one,congratulating Lovely. Changes are also being carried out on the second floor of the DPCC office,where the president sits.
The presidents room previously had a number of photographs of Agarwal alongside Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on its wall. These are now being removed.
But even as the newly appointed DPCC president prepares for the Congresss new role in the Opposition,tempers are frayed in the state headquarters. His appointment has made a number of senior DPCC officebearers,considered close to Agarwal,jittery. Sources said Lovely was likely to give a larger role to young leaders in the party.
