Disqualifications will hit Congress’s poll prospects: Himachal PCC chief

As unrest grows within the anti-Sukhu camp of Himachal Congress over the disqualification of six rebel MLAs from the state Assembly, Himachal PCC president Pratibha Singh, a known rival of Sukhu, has cautioned that the disqualification will have an adverse impact on the Congress’s prospects in the Lok Sabha polls.

Pratibha Singh also hinted that the rebel MLAs would not have defied the party had the high command listened to their grievances over the past year and intervened to resolve the issues. Earlier in the day, Pratibha’s son, Vikramaditya Singh, skipped a breakfast meet of Congress MLAs that was called by Sukhu at his residence. Vikramaditya also reiterated that he has only agreed to “not press” for his resignation from the state Cabinet to be accepted and has not withdrawn the resignation.

Vikramaditya, the Congress MLA from Shimla Rural and son of late party stalwart and former six-term Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh, also said that he and other party leaders have kept their views before the central observers and will “wait and see what the party decides” before taking their next political steps.

The Shimla Rural MLA, who was among the few Congress leaders that attended the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya last month, also said, “We went to Ayodhya and we have the blessings of Lord Ram for whatever we do.” The comment has added fuel to speculations of his departure from the Congress if the party doesn’t address the grievances raised by him and his mother.