Congress promoting Pratibha

Sukh Ram launched a blistering attack against his arch political rival Virbhadra Singh, who had claimed responsibility for the rout of Congress in the elections. 8220;Virbhadra Singh8217;s last ditch effort to promote his wife Pratibha Singh in politics had proved a disaster for the Congress,8221; he said.

The poll results in Mandi, where Pratibha Singh lost by a record margin of 1.33 lakh, had exploded the myth that Virbhadra Singh held the key in Mandi Lok Sabha, he said.

Describing the Congress defeat in the polls as a mandate against feudal, autocratic and vindictive rule, former Communication Minister asked Virbhadra Singh to voluntarily quit the leadership. He maintained that the resignation of Virbhadra Singh from the CLP was stage-managed since he himself had later sent MLAs to pressurise R.K. Dhawan AICC general secretary for not accepting the resignation.

8220;Virbhadra Singh is trying to stick to the position,8221; he said. Sukh Ram also exhorted the Congressmen to either get rid of Virbhadra Singh or quit the party in the interest of the state.

Former minister hoped that Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal would soon order a CBI inquiry into the chargesheet, which HVC had submitted to him against Virbhadra Singh.

He hinted that a joint delegation of BJP-HVC led by Dhumal would meet the Prime Minister and demand the construction of 9 km long Rohtang tunnel, a survey for which had already been completed.