The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: The simmering discontent within the Himachal Pradesh Congress has once again come to the forefront as Congress state president Pratibha Singh has voiced concerns over the alleged neglect of party workers by the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government.
Addressing the media in Shimla on Tuesday (January 30, 2024), Pratibha lamented the government’s failure to “accommodate hardworking party workers” in various boards and corporations despite her recommendations to Chief Minister Sukhu.
She emphasised the indispensable role played by party workers in securing the party’s victory in the state, asserting that their contributions merit acknowledgment through representation in government bodies. With the Lok Sabha elections round the corner, Pratibha underscored the imperative of integrating party workers into the government framework, citing previous assurances of inclusivity made to the Congress high command.
This isn’t the first instance of Pratibha raising grievances against her own government. She has repeatedly highlighted the issue of neglecting party workers and the organisation’s exclusion from key decisions. During the state government’s one-year anniversary celebrations, Pratibha accused the government of sidelining the organisation, further exacerbating internal rifts.
Congress MLAs Sudhir Sharma and Rajendra Rana have also expressed dissatisfaction, hinting at potential political turmoil within the party. Rana recently criticised the elevation of individuals to cabinet ranks without contesting elections, fuelling discontent among elected representatives.
The discontent isn’t confined to the political leadership alone as several ministers in the Sukhu cabinet are reportedly aggrieved, particularly after the reallocation of portfolios. The withdrawal of the sports portfolio from PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, along with similar actions affecting Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan and Education Minister Rohit Thakur, has further strained relations within the government.
Awaiting government postings for over 14 months, party leaders are growing increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as “neglect”. Pratibha affirmed her commitment to addressing these grievances, vowing to engage with the Chief Minister to seek redressal. As the Congress gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh, the lack of coordination between the government and the party organisation threatens to undermine the party’s electoral prospects. “The failure to reconcile internal differences and bridge the divide between the government and the party apparatus may pose significant challenges for the Congress in the days ahead,” said a political analyst.
