M A I N   N E W S

Himachal Cong suspends Doon MLA
Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 16
Himachal Pradesh Congress Comittee chief Sukhwinder Singh today suspended newly elected Doon MLA Ram Kumar from the primary membership of the party for his alleged involvement in the Jyoti murder case.

The MLA has also been sacked from the post of PCC general secretary. Ram Kumar was elected only recently and had not even taken oath as an MLA. Being on the run, he did not attend the recently held four-day session of the Vidhan Sabha. He surrendered before the Panchkula police last week.

It is mandatory for any new MLA to take oath within 60 days of the declaration of result, failing which the election is quashed. The Congress has a razor-thin majority (36) in the 68-member House. With Ram Kumar out, its effective strength in the House has been 35. However, the government is being supported by three Independents and the Himachal Lokhit Party.

Sukhwinder Singh said he had to take the unpleasant decision on the very first day in office, but it could not be avoided as he wanted to give a clear signal to the party men and the public that involvement in criminal activities and corruption would not be tolerated. Crime against women was all the more despicable and harsh decisions would have to be taken to ensure discipline and good conduct in the party. The image of the party was more important than individuals, he added.

He would pursue the policy of zero tolerance to crime and corruption to make the Congress a party with a difference in the real sense. He would soon hold an interactive session with office-bearers of the district and block party units and also tour the state to meet workers to prepare a road map for strengthening the party. The focus would also be on making the frontal organisations more vibrant. He would soon convene a meeting of the heads of all frontal organisations and chalk out programmes in consultation with them to give boost to their activities.

Any changes in the existing PCC set-up would be made in due course after due deliberation, he added.

JYOTI MURDER CASE

• Ram Kumar (in pic), allegedly involved in the Jyoti murder case has been suspended from the primary membership of the party
• He has been also sacked from the post of PCC general secretary
• Ram had not taken oath as an MLA
• He surrendered before the Panchkula police last week