A day after tickets were announced by the Congress amid difference of opinion over choices of ticket between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, both downplayed the fissures in party on Friday.
The difference of opinion between Singh and Sukhu has led to the delay of announcement of tickets by Central leadership and hectic parleys were held before the party decided to go by the choices of Chief Minister irrespective of Sukhu’s aggressive advocating for tickets of past three months to the leaders of his choice.
“There are no fissures in the party and it is natural that some person wanted a ticket for someone and someone wanted for others. It happens and is a natural thing,” said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, when asked about difference of opinions in party.
Sukhu said that there were no differences and it was the party high command, which had to take the final call and they did.
“Discussions were held on all the candidates and whoever fitted to the expectations of party high command were given tickets,” said Sukhu. On Thursday, party decided to go by the choice of Chief Minister and allotted tickets to his wife Pratibha Singh from Mandi, his loyalists Mohan lal Brakta and Chander Kumar from Shimla and Kangra seats while for Hamirpur parliamentary seat, party put its stamp on the name of Independent legislator Rajendra Rana, who the Chief Minister was backing.
Sukhu on other hand was backing Vinod Sultanpuri from Shimla, Union Culture Minister Chandresh Kumari from Kangra and State Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri for Hamirpur parliamentary seat.