Bhajan may retain post

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda may squirm, but the ailing old warhorse, Bhajan Lal, is set to get another term as Pradesh Cong...

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda may squirm, but the ailing old warhorse, Bhajan Lal, is set to get another term as Pradesh Congress Committee PCC chief. According to sources, an announcement to this effect is likely to be made soon.

Hooda, emboldened by Bhajan Lal8217;s physical problem due to a stroke, had initiated efforts to have him replaced by somebody who was not a threat to his own position. But to his disappointment, Bhajan Lal has not only recovered but has also made his own position secure.

Bhajan Lal met with senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary in-charge Janardan Dwivedi, last week. When asked if he would continue as PCC chief, Bhajan Lal said, 8216;8216;Yes, of course.8217;8217;

The sources said Bhajan Lal foiled Hooda8217;s designs by mooting the name of his younger son Kuldeep Bishnoi, the Lok Sabha member from Bhiwani, as his replacement. His elder son, Chander Mohan, is already the deputy chief minister of the state.

The Hooda camp was lobbying for the appointment of former PCC president Harpal Singh, a Punjabi leader, in his place. Senior minister Birender Singh, once a contender for the chief ministership, as well as veteran leader Shamsher Singh Surjewala backed the nomination of former minister and OBC leader Ram Prakash for the post.

The leadership has made up its mind to persist with the status quo for many reasons, the sources said.

One, it is in conformity with the normal high command policy to keep state presidency with a chief minister8217;s rival to ensure a balance among various factions.

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Two, the high command does not want to stir any crisis by going against Bhajan Lal, especially when he has been already denied the chief ministership.

Three, a harsh attitude towards a veteran leader soon after a serious ailment is bound to send an averse signal to people.

And also the alternative offered by Bhajan Lal8212; the appointment of his son8212;is neither acceptable to the high command nor other factions.