Anand Sharma’s induction in Union Cabinet a blow to Virbhadra camp

His role as MOS External Affairs and I&B Minister during the signing of the nuclear deal and post 26/11 boosted his image,and helped him in winning the confidence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Said Harbhajjan Singh Bhajji,his close associate and former congress MLA,“ We are delighted to see a Shimla man and student leader rising to the post of a Cabinet minister in the union government. Sharma earned this reward through his hard work as a junior minister,” Bhajji said.

Many feel Sharma’s growth to the national level is more due to his close proximity with 10-Janpath and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi. Yet he is also given credit for making his own place among the high-profile Congress politicians. The only drawback for him is his lack of grossroot support in the state,since he hasn’t fought any election to the Assembly or the Lok Sabha so far.

When contacted by The Indian Express,Sharma said,“I am humbled by the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister’s decision to take me in the first team as Cabinet rank minister. I also thank the people of Himachal Pradesh,and will do my best for their development and welfare as union minister”.

Meanwhile,the disappointment was visible in the Virbhadra camp. His supporters had been camping in Delhi,hoping for a key Cabinet berth for him.

Virbhadra Singh seems to have lacked a well-organised team of loyalists,who earlier used to discreetly work for him whenever he had faced challenges like becoming chief minister in the state in 1993,or in 2003. One of his core-team members like Asha Kumari also chosen to stay aloof.