The Newz Radar
MANDI: The Himachal Congress, marking its first year in power in the state, is grappling with internal discord as the feud between state unit president Pratibha Singh and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has come to light once again.
In an exclusive conversation with TNR, Pratibha Singh emphasised the urgent need for the Chief Minister to initiate a cabinet expansion, warning that further delays could adversely impact the party’s prospects in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. She expressed concern that dedicated party workers, awaiting appointments as chairpersons in boards and corporations for the past year, had allegedly been blatantly overlooked by Chief Minister Sukhu, causing frustration among them.
Pratibha Singh, advocating the cause of those who have served the organisation for several decades, lamented the government’s neglect of party’s activists instrumental in their victory.
“Despite submitting a list of party workers for government roles, there has been no response from Sukhu in the past six months,” she said, criticising the lack of consultation in governmental decisions. She asserted that decisions were taken unilaterally without considering the party input.
Highlighting the party’s ascent to power in the name of her husband and six-term Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh, Pratibha expressed disappointment that his family and supporters had been sidelined. She revealed her non-involvement in matters related to the government’s one-year celebration and accused CM Sukhu of intentionally sidelining Virbhadra loyalists, leading to dissent within the party.
Pratibha Singh and her minister son Vikramaditya Singh had even approached Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge in July to establish a panel facilitating coordination between the party and government due to perceived coordination issues.
Regarding the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Pratibha Singh, the sitting MP from Mandi, stated her willingness to contest if directed by the high command. Regarding the unexpected loss in three states, she acknowledged the challenges ahead in the next Lok Sabha polls, citing the influence of the Modi factor nationally but emphasising the party’s determination to engage in the electoral battle.
Questioned about the timing of her political statements amid the recent electoral setbacks, Pratibha dismissed it as a routine statement unrelated to the current political landscape.
