Unfortunately,no alternative leader in Himachal: Birender

AICC general secretary and Himachal incharge Birender Singh,however,denied that survey reports prompted the party’s move of appointing Virbhadra as the Pradesh Congress Committee president. “We don’t go by surveys. I believe that there should be change and others too should be allowed to grow. It is unfortunate that even after so many years,there is no alternative leader in Himachal. By now,the party should have groomed at least half a dozen more leaders,” Birender said.

Incidentally,Birender is a classmate of ousted PCC president Kaul Singh Thakur,who now awaits his “rehabilitation” as the Congress Legislative Party leader.

Refuting the charge that Virbhadra’s position in the party was undermined when his name found no mention in the screening committee of the party announced in July,Birender said: “We never undermined Virbhadra’s position,stature or influence. I was part of the decision making process and Virbhadra has been appointed as PCC chief as Congress will be more comfortable with him within the party set up.”

A bigger worry than the surveys were reports of NCP as also the Trinamool Congress,sendinmg feelers to Virbhadra.

The sulking leader was able to put pressure on the party high command despite having to resign from the Union cabinet following a court order in June.

Sources in the Congress said the survey also predicted that infighting could do Congress in,as in case of neighbouring Punjab. “The Congress needs to learn some lessons from the Punjab debacle. There too,the party high command tried to do a balancing act by appointing Amarinder as PCC chief,keeping his detractor Rajinder Kaur Bhattal as CLP leader and trying to adjust nominees,kin and loyalists of all factions — from MPs to ministers — during the ticket allotment. In Himachal too,the pattern seems to be repeating. Appointing Virbhadra as PCC chief,Kaul Singh as CLP leader when the incumbent Vidhya Stokes had made up with Virbhadra,and known detractor Union minister Anand Sharma as chairman of the campaign and manifesto committee will put the party on a sticky wicket. Like in case of Punjab,the main battle will be fought over ticket allotment within warring factions than the real poll battle ahead,” said a source.

Those denied tickets can also upset Congress applecart in the hill state.