Dissent in Congress over appointment of ‘outsider’ observers
Rajeev Shukla, All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, has appointed 16 observers from other states to facilitate the reconstitution of the dissolved Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC).
The decision, however, has not gone down well with many Congress leaders of the state, who see it as an infringement on the rights of the local leaders, especially HPCC president Pratibha Singh. “The central leadership has never appointed observers earlier for the reconstitution of the dissolved body. It’s not in good taste,” said a prominent Congress leader.
He said, “It’s the prerogative of the HPCC president to appoint office-bearers at the district and block levels in consultation with other state party leaders and MLAs. The decision breaches the prerogative of the HPCC president.”
A Congress MLA says the legislators and other senior party leaders have a big say in deciding the office-bearers at the district and block levels. “The appointment of the observers is bound to affect the role of the MLAs and other senior leaders in the reconstitution of the HPCC,” he added.
Further, Congress workers are questioning how the observers from other states will know which leader has been working or not working at the district and block levels. “All those appointed as observers are from other states. How will they help or give any credible feedback when they hardly know the ground reality at the district and block levels,” asked a Congress worker.
He said, “The aspirants will look to please these observers to strengthen their chances of getting a post in the HPCC.”
AICC secretaries to meet state leaders
Shimla: All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretaries Vidit Chaudhary and Chetan Chauhan will hold meetings with state Congress leaders at the party headquarters here on November 25 and 26.
As per the schedule, both leaders will hold a meeting with state Congress president Pratibha Singh on November 25 and former state Congress presidents. They will then hold a meeting with the senior leaders of the state Congress at 2 pm. On November 26, they will hold a meeting with the state heads of the leading organisations of the HPCC, former state heads of the departments of the HPCC and Congress social media and media heads.
