TNR News Network
SOLAN:
The internal rift within the Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress has exploded into a full-blown political storm. Allegations, counter-allegations, police complaints, and disciplinary action have brought deep factionalism to the fore, forcing the Congress high command to step in.
The trouble began in early-July during the Himachal Youth Congress’s state executive meeting at Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra.
Himachal unit vice-president Anu Maratha accused a relative of Nalagarh Youth Congress president Uday Rana of issuing threats during the meeting. She subsequently filed an FIR at the local police station.
Anu Maratha submitted written complaint to Congress high command
Anu Maratha also launched a three-day hunger strike in protest and refused to eat until the national leadership heard her out. She also submitted a detailed written complaint to the Congress high command, describing the threats and the deteriorating internal environment in the organisation.
The root of the clash appears to lie in factional loyalties within the party. Anu Maratha, who was made district in-charge of Solan after winning as vice-president, was seen meeting Nalagarh MLA Baba Hardeep Singh, a known supporter of the Holy Lodge faction, synonymous with late six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. This irked some local Youth Congress leaders aligned with other camps.
The state Youth Congress president, Chhattar Singh Thakur, is learnt to be a known loyalist of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, further deepening the ideological and political divide. The internal strife reached such levels that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and party in-charge Rajni Patil had to intervene.
Suspensions, warnings, rehabilitation post-investigation
After the FIR and media fallout, the Youth Congress removed Anu Maratha from her role as Solan district in-charge, citing indiscipline. However, following directives from AICC, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) formed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.
The report absolved Anu Maratha of the allegations. As a result, Solan District Youth Congress president Sachin Chaudhary was suspended for inaction.
Gurudas Chaudhary, the runner-up in the internal elections, was appointed the new district head. Uday Rana was issued a strict warning. Anu Maratha was reinstated and appointed as the state in-charge of the Youth Congress Research Department and district in-charge of Kinnaur.
Speaking to a media house, Himachal Youth Congress president Chhattar Singh Thakur acknowledged that disciplinary action was taken according to the party’s organisational norms. He confirmed that Anu Maratha’s reinstatement came only after the investigation have her a clean chit.
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