The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Friday, July 7, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I N N E W S

Sukh Ram demonstrates strength
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

MANDI, July 6 — The delegate session convened by Mr Sukh Ram here today to mark the foundation day of the Himachal Vikas Congress turned out to be an impressive rally with partymen from all over the state converging on this historic town in strength to express solidarity with the veteran leader.

The surging crowd at the Town Hall, where the session was to be held, forced the organisers to shift the venue to Seri Manch where Mr Sukh Ram and other leaders addressed the gathering. Although the party supremo maintained that it was not a “show of strength”, the large turnout amply demonstrated the influence he continues to command over the people.

Mr Sukh Ram claimed that the overwhelming response of the people was, in fact, an endorsement of his decision to expel errant Public Works Minister Mohinder Singh from the party by partymen and the people. He said he could be marginalised amongst the elected representatives but not among the masses.

The tone and tenor of the resolutions passed at the session not only indicated the party’s resolve to take the fight against the rival faction to its logical conclusion, but also served a veiled threat to the BJP that things could take a turn for the worse if it continued to test the party’s patience. Unlike Mr Vajpayee, who heads the alliance government at the Centre, the state leadership was not following the coalition culture.

The political resolution reiterated that the party would strive to strengthen the coalition.

Directly targeting the Public Works Minister on the issue of corruption, the resolution lamented that the Prime Minister’s directive to root out corruption was being ignored in Himachal Pradesh. Serious allegations had been levelled against Mr Mohinder Singh.

The party expressed resentment against the induction into the BJP of its two legislators, Mr Mansa Ram and Mr Prakash Chaudhary, who were sent to the party on a “holiday” as part of a tactical move to stall the installation of Congress government.

By another resolution, the party reiterated its demand for removal of Mr Mohinder Singh from the Cabinet and also called for an in-depth probe into the allegations of corruption levelled against him by the Opposition.

The economic resolution underlined the need for speedy exploitation of the state’s hydel power potential. It demanded setting up of a high-powered monitoring committee with a state representative to oversee the implementation of hydel projects. Besides, it should be ensured that surplus staff on completion of projects were adjusted within the state.

It pointed out that the allotment of infrastructure projects to big companies was depriving Himachalies of job opportunities.

The party also opposed the policy of disinvestment in public sector undertakings being followed at the Centre and cautioned that it could upset the basic structure of mixed economy.

The resolution favoured according tribal status to the trans-Giri belt of Sirmaur district and called for developing the tribal districts as a “seed” bowl of the state to ensure remunerative returns to farmers.

The party also demanded 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures and thanked the Prime Minister for sanctioning a tunnel under the Rohtang Pass and for starting work on major hydel power projects in the state.

Barring the expelled leader, Mr Mohinder Singh, all HVC legislators and MPs were present at the session. They were Col D.R. Shandil and Mr Anil Sharma, both MPs and Mr Ram Lal Markandey, Animal Husbandry Minister.

The HVC supremo claimed that 47 out of the total 58 delegates attended the session which clearly indicated that there was no vertical split in the party.

He said the decision to expel Mr Mohinder Singh was a sad one but the party had emerged stronger after that. He ruled out the possibility of a rapprochement with the rival faction.

The HVC’s main objective was to make Himachal a prosperous state and it had prepared a comprehensive plan for the purpose which would be submitted to the government soon.

While Mr Anil Sharma blamed the BJP for the crisis in the HVC, Col D.R. Shandil expressed hope that the two groups would be ultimately united. He said those who had gone astray had no option but to return to the party fold. Mr Dina Nath Shastri, a former legislator, joined the HVC in the presence of Mr Sukh Ram .

With today’s parallel rallies at Mandi and Paonta Sahib, the strife within the HVC has been taken to the people, setting the stage for a fierce political battle in the days to come.