Snubbed leaders may rock Cong balancing act

The Congress has walked a tightrope while handling Assembly tickets in Himachal, thanks to the bitter factional fight between former CM Virb...

The Congress has walked a tightrope while handling Assembly tickets in Himachal, thanks to the bitter factional fight between former CM Virbhadra Singh and Pradesh Congress chief Vidya Stokes. But the rebel factor is still not out.

Taking care not to antagonise any of the leaders, the party has fielded all sitting MLAs, the majority being Virbhadra loyalists, and 20 new faces who are Stoke confidants. However, there are reports that defeated candidates, who have been replaced by the high command, may create problems.

Chopper fight

SHIMLA: Adding to their tug-of-war over seats, former CM Virbhadra Singh and HPCC chief Vidya Stokes have asked for separate helicopters for campaigning. They have each made a written request to the AICC. Treasurer Moti Lal Vora said: ‘‘We have received the requests but the high command is yet to take any decision.’’ Sources, however, said the party will hire only one chopper from a Delhi-based airlines and direct both leaders to use it. (ENS)

In the Kasumpti constituency, Virbhadra aide Shonkia Ram Kashyap, has been replaced with Stokes loyalist Chiranjeev Lal. There are fears that he may play spoilsport. Vijender Singh has been shown the door and Sukriti Kumari allotted the ticket from Nalagarh. But he being her husband and having no interest in active politics, poses no threat. Babu Ram Gautam, a Virbhadra loyalist, has been dropped in favour of Tilak Raj Sharma in Bilaspur, Beeru Ram has been replaced with Roop Rani in Geharwin and Prem Kaushal with Suresh Kumar in Mewa. All these former candidates may revolt.

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Another Virbhadra loyalist, Manjit Singh, who was expelled, has been replaced by Vidya Jar. He may contest as an Independent and cut into her votes. Hari Dutt, again a Virbhadra man, who has been replaced by Rakesh Kalia in Chintpurni, may pose a problem. Similarly, Yog Raj, denied ticket from Pragpur, may spoil Pradeep Kumar’s chances.

The party’s Central Election Committee has consciously tried to strike a balance between different geographical segments this time. While Virbhadra confidant J.S. Negi has bagged the only ticket at Kinnaur district, it is virtually a 50-50 exercise in Shimla’s eight constituencies. Four candidates — Singhi Ram (Rampur), Rohit Thakur (Jubbal-Kotkhai) and Yogendra Chandra (Choppal) — here owe allegiance to Virbhadra, while Rajendra Verma (Theog), Charanjiv Lal Kashyap (Kasumpti) and Harbhajan Singh Bajji belong to the Stokes’ camp.

In Kangra, the balance seems perfect. While Stokes has pushed ahead the candidatures of Viplove Thakur (Jaswan), Pardeep Kumar (Paragpur), Jagdeesh Sepaia (Thural), Milkhi Ram (Rajgir), G.S. Bali (Nagrota) and Vijay Singh Mankotia (Shahpur), Virbhadra has got tickets for Chandresh Kumari (Dharamsala), Sudhir Sharma (Baijnath), Kewal Singh Pathania (Jawali), Chander Kumar (Guler), B.B. Butail (Palampur) and Jagjivan Pal (Nagrota).

Though the ruling BJP was asking for more representation of women, it is the Congress that has taken the lead by fielding nine women this time. They are: Vidya Stokes (Kumarsein), Krishna Mohni (Solan), Chandresh Kumari (Dharamsala), Asha Kumari (Banikhet), Viplove Thakur (Jaswan), Anita Verma (Hamirpur), Sukriti Kumari (Nalaghar), Vidya Zar (Nadaunta) and Roop Rani (Geharwin).

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