SHIMLA, Dec 17 — The virtual boycott of today’s election of Ms Vidya Stokes as the new PCC chief by the legislators considered to be supporters of the CLP leader, Mr Virbhadra Singh, has sown the seeds of a sharper division among the two warring factions of the Congress in Himachal Pradesh.

Although Mr Virbhadra Singh on one side and Ms Stokes along with her supporters, on the other, claimed soon after the elections that there were no differences among them and they would unitedly fight the ruling BJP, but their claims are being taken with a pinch of salt by the party rank and file.

Mr Virbhadra Singh and his supporters, who had all along opposed Ms Stokes’ nomination as the new PCC chief, abstained from the election, sending a clear signal that the party was virtually split over her nomination by the AICC chief, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Mr Virbhadra Singh, however, made it clear that he would support Ms Stokes for strengthening the party as he and his men had left the choice of choosing the PCC chief to Ms Sonia Gandhi. There was no question of opposing her now, he said.

Leaders of both camps have claimed that the legislators could not participate in the election as they were busy in their respective constituencies in connection with the current panchayat elections. Mr Virbhadra Singh said he was not informed of the election schedule.

Among the legislators who abstained from the formal election of Ms Stokes this morning are, Mr Ram Lal, Mr Kashmir Singh, Mr Singhi Ram, Mr Kuldeep Kumar, Mr Harshwardhan Chauhan, Mr Rattan Singh, Dr Prem Singh, Mr Gangu Ram Musaffir, Ms Asha Kumari, Mr Raghu Raj, Mr Dharampal, Mr Tek Chand, Mr Kaul Singh, Mr Brij Butail, Mr Ishwar Dass and Mr Virender Gautam.

Mr Chander Kumar and Mr G.S. Bali, who are also considered close to Mr Virbhadra Singh, were present at PCC headquarters to participate in the election.

Most of these legislators, along with Mr Virbhadra Singh, had been seeking the candidature of Mr Chander Kumar for the post.

The Stokes camp, however, claims that by nominating her as the new party head, Ms Gandhi had done the balancing act between both factions. While Mr Virbhadra Singh was the CLP leader, Ms Stokes had been given the charge of the organisation.