Cong MLAs seek to mend fences with Sukh Ram

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, however, feels no threat to his government from the Congress. “Though attempts are being made to create misunderstandings between the BJP and HVC ranks, Congress will not succeed,” he maintains. Dhumal suspects that the move is a part of Congress’s inner politics to sideline Virbhadra Singh.

According to the Congress leaders, though the move awaits clear signals from the high command, there was no harm in opening a dialogue with Sukh Ram, a veteran Congress leader with considerable influence in State and Central politics. “Moreover, Sukh Ram’s target remains Virbhadra Singh, not the Congress as a whole,” a Congress MLA says.

During the current Assembly session, no Congress member other than Virbhadra Singh launched a direct attack against Sukh Ram, and many could be seen pleading for his return to the party to pull down the Dhumal government.In fact, the Congress MLAs have been feeling encouraged after Sukh Ram’s remarks against Dhumal in the State Assembly. He had voiced his concern over Chief Minister’s inaction on a charge-sheet submitted by the HVC against Virbhadra Singh, seeking a CBI probe. Sukh Ram told Dhumal that at times he forgets HVC is a coalition partner, holding in its hand the balance of power.

But there exist other reasons for Sukh Ram’s displeasure. It is well known that he wants to settle political score with Virbhadra Singh, having accused him of damaging him politically, socially and financially.

Sukh Ram had held several rounds of talks with Dhumal to pursue his case for recommending a CBI probe on the charge-sheet submitted to the CM by the HVC. The delay in follow-up action over the charge-sheet is worrying Sukh Ram and fears that Dhumal might protect Virbhadra Singh.

The HVC president, speaking on the loan controversy in Assembly last week, reiterated his demand for a CBI probe. Sukh Ram also issued a challenge to Virbhadra Singh to agree to such a probe, but Virbhadra Singh turned down his plea, saying he would not do so merely to please Sukh Ram, who had a single point agenda of defaming and harassing him.On Friday, Sukh Ram held a two-hour long meeting with Dhumal and both refuses to divulge details of the talks. Dhumal maintains that he stood by his commitment to order an appropriate probe into the loan controversy and other charges.

“If required, even a CBI probe will be ordered,” he says.The Congress leaders are convinced that the Chief Minister will not annoy Sukh Ram as his government’s survival was at stake. Few Congress MLAs are also in touch with Dhumal to keep tabs on his move to order the probe. There is also counter-lobbying from a powerful Congress camp to dissuade Dhumal from initiating any move which weakens Virbhadra Singh politically.