In a stern action against dissidents in the party, All India Congress Committee has expelled seven leaders in Himachal Pradesh just a fortnight before the State elects its new policy makers for the next five years.
The list of these rebels include two former Ministers Maj. Vijay Singh Mankotia and Singhi Ram, who are contesting assembly elections as independent candidates. While Mankotia is contesting from Shahpur in Kangra, Singhi Ram is trying his political clout from Rampur in Shimla. Congress had picked Kewel Singh Pathania from Shahpur and sitting MlA Nand lal from Rampur again.
Other five expelled leaders are Harish Janartha contesting from Shimla, Hardeep Singh Bawa from Nalagarh, Puran Chand Thakur from Drang, Beni Prasad from lahaul and Rajinder from Spiti.
While seven leaders have been shown the door, Congress has also revoked expulsion of two senior leaders Dharamvir Dhami of Kullu and Kashmir Singh of Bilaspur, who were expelled in 2012 for anti-party activities.
Barring one or two, most of the expelled leaders from Congress had been closely associated with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh at certain point of time. These expelled dissidents are expected to create a strong impact on the outcome of elections due to their following in their respective areas.
The party State in-charge and AICC general secretary Sushil Kumar Shinde said in press release that seven party leaders who were contesting elections against the party’s official candidates have been suspended from the party membership for at least six years.
He said that party had tried to prevail upon such leaders to withdraw their nominations against Congress candidates however seven of them did not withdraw their papers and this was considered indiscipline.
With expulsion of these seven leaders, it is now clear that Congress would face a challenge from its own people in at least seven constituencies apart from the rivals.
Himachal assembly polls will be held on November 9.
The rival BJP is also facing its own rebel candidates on seven assembly segments. The saffron party is facing challenge from Parveen Sharma in Palampur against the party nominee Indu Goswami, BK Chauhan from Chamba, M D Sharma from Rural Shimla, Rajinder Sushant and Baldev Thakur from Fatehpur, Kangra, Hridaya Ram from Renuka, Ravinder Mann from Haroli, lalit Thakur from Bharmour.