After facing embarrassment over Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh praising BJP veteran and Kangra candidate Shanta Kumar, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) has asked all the MlAs, Ministers to be specific in their attack and focus on canvassing for party candidates
In a number of meetings recently, Virbhadra Singh has praised BJP veteran and candidate from Kangra, Shanta Kumar calling him ‘man of values’ to criticise former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal calling him a ‘dictator.’
The praise by Chief Minister of Kumar had left Congress candidate from Kangra, Chandra Kumar vulnerable at the hustings, prompting the State unit of Congress to shoot off a letter to all the MlAs and Ministers asking them to be specific in their attacks on rivals.
“All the MlAs and Ministers have to work for the party candidates and ensure that they get lead in their respective constituencies. No one can praise the rival candidates undermining the official candidates of the party,” said HPCC chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.
He asked the ministers and MlAs to highlight the good work of State Government and UPA Government and canvass for the party’s official candidate. “The candidates have been declared by the high command and no one is above party, hence all will have to ensure that the official candidates get the lead margin in their respective constituencies,” said Sukhu.
He added that if anyone is found not canvassing whether he is Minister or MlA, action could be taken against him or her and ministerial portfolio can be given a rethink. It is to be noted that several candidates of the party are facing a tough situation to mobilise voters, as Ministers are shying away from campaigning for them, whether it’s in Kangra or in Hamirpur.
The HPCC has also assigned responsibilities to the ten ministers of the State in the BJP stronghold pockets and they have been asked to ensure lead margin in those pockets in favour of party candidates.
On other hand, HPCC has also formed a three member committee headed by IPH minister Vidya Stokes including Transport Minister GS Balli and Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur as members to suggest name for the candidate for the Sujanpur byelection.
The committee would suggest name of the candidate to the State president by April 4. Party has also asked the ticket aspirants for Sujanpur byelection to apply for the ticket with the fee of Rs10,000 by April 3.