Shimla, April 16
The first meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Working Committee after the formation of the new state executive began on Friday at the party headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan in Shimla. The meeting is expected to focus on strengthening the organization and improving coordination with the government. Strategy for the upcoming panchayat elections will also be discussed, with emphasis on grassroots-level preparedness.
The meeting is being chaired by State Congress president Vinay Kumar, while AICC in-charge Rajni Patil is also present.
During the meeting, Patil said discussions would focus on strengthening the organization at the grassroots level and improving coordination between the government and the party. She added that strategies for the upcoming panchayat elections would also be formulated.
Responding to questions about dissatisfaction among some senior leaders, including Kaul Singh Thakur, Patil said all issues within the organization would be discussed openly in the meeting. She said all senior leaders, including Kaul Singh, are attending the meeting and that the party would move forward based on collective views.
Patil also said the “one person, one post” principle will be strictly implemented in the Himachal Congress. She said leaders holding government positions will not hold organizational posts, and those in the organization will not hold government posts, ensuring opportunities for new workers and accountability within the system.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, she criticized the central government, saying that Congress supports women’s reservation but that the Center must first complete the census and delimitation processes. She said legislation alone is not enough and must be properly implemented to ensure women’s rights.
Addressing speculation about Congress leader Anand Sharma’s dissatisfaction and reports that he may join the BJP, Patil said he is a senior Congress leader and will remain with the party. She said she had met him recently and added that occasional differences are natural within a party, but he remains part of the Congress family and will be taken along.
The meeting is being attended by state president Vinay Kumar, in-charge Rajni Patil, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Deputy Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, several MLAs, district presidents, heads of frontal organizations, and newly appointed office bearers.
