Amid high political drama, camouflaged by unanimity enforced by special AICC observers, Virbhadra Singh was today elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) at its meeting held here today. Virbhadra’s name was proposed by PCC chief and his arch rival Vidya Stokes.Sixty-nine-year-old Virbhadra will soon meet Governor Suraj Bhan to stake claim and is expected to be sworn in as Chief Minister, fifth time in his political career, in a day or two. Virbhadra is leaving for Delhi tomorrow to meet party chief Sonia Gandhi.Described by observers as ‘‘unanimous and peaceful’’, the election was frequently interrupted by slogan-shouting. After hectic consultations with the newly-elected legislators, Virbhadra and Stokes, the AICC panel comprising treasurer Moti Lal Vora, general secretary Mohsina Kidwai, CWC member R. K. Dhawan and spokesperson Anand Sharma, finally zeroed in on Virbhadra’s name. Endorsing the decision, Stokes said it was in the larger interest of the party.Before the meeting started, all senior leaders met at a government-run hotel here. They were also closeted with Virbhadra and Stokes to reach a consensus over the leadership issue.Stokes, who was a keen claimant for the post and had even gone to Delhi to meet Sonia to press her candidature, said the decision of the high command, taken after prolonged consultations with MLAs, was acceptable to her. Asked if she was one of the claimants, Stokes said sometimes such decisions were necessary in the interest of party unity. Asked if there was any threat to party unity if Virbhadra was not made the CLP leader, Stokes said such possibility could not be ruled out.Moti Lal Vora said the will of majority of the MLAs had prevailed and that the decision had been taken after consultation with MLAS in keeping with the party tradition. Corruption case no hindrance: Cong NEW DELHI: The Congress while demanding resignation of UP CM Mayawati on corruption charges, said on Tuesday that the corruption case against Virbhadra Singh would not not come in the way of his becoming a contender for the post of chief minister in Himachal Pradesh. ‘‘He has not not been disqualified. His qualification will depend upon wishes of the legislators,’’ party spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy said. Stating he was not aware of the nature and scope of the case against Singh, Reddy said the two issues were different. Virbhadra to be CM for record fifth time SHIMLA: Virbhadra would be creating a record of sorts by taking oath as Chief Minister for the fifth time. The political heavyweight has had a career spanning four decades. He remained president of PCC twice and led the party to victory in 1985, 1993 and 2003 Assembly polls. He holds the record of winning all the Assembly elections with record margins. This time also he not only polled highest number of 32,617 votes but also won by a record margin of 17289 votes from Rohroo. (PTI)
