Settle rifts: Cong warns partymen

AICC general secretary Nawal Kishore Sharma today said the party high command would not recognise 8216;8216;factional rallies8217;8217; that are held without the permission of the Pradesh Congress Committee PCC in Haryana. 8216;8216;Any party leader in Haryana who wishes to organise a rally will have to take prior permission of the PCC chief,8217;8217; Sharma told reporters here.

If the HPCC did not grant permission, Sharma said he or the high command could be approached. Observers see this as the first move by AICC to bring about unity between Haryana Congress factions led by HPCC chief Bhajan Lal and CLP leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The party8217;s also released the Shimla Declaration at its general body meeting today.

In the recent past, the Hooda faction had held a number of 8216;parallel8217; rallies without Bhajan Lal8217;s permission. Sharma advised against rallies for promoting certain leaders.

In his subtle message, Sharma put it across that indiscipline would not be tolerated. 8216;8216;I have told both the leaders Bhajan Lal and Hooda to work unitedly. But if this does not work, there are enough provisions in the party8217;s constitution to take action,8217;8217; he said.