Rahul’s “Vote Chor, Kursi Chor” Slogans Echo in Himachal midist of Cong Factions slogans..
Shimla, August 22 – Rahul Gandhi’s “Vote Chor, Kursi Chor” campaign, which he flagged off in Bihar againstthe ModiGovernment, found an echo in Shimla on Friday, but with an eye on new PCC Chief.
Instead, the cry got subsumed into Congress’s own infighting, with rival camps of Vikramaditya Singh and CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu locking horns right in front of AICC co-incharge Rajni Patil at Rajiv Bhawan.
Unity or Uproar?
What was meant to be a campaign launch turned into a show of muscle.
As Patil stepped into the party office, supporters of both camps burst into slogans, each side trying to drown out the other.
The din only deepened the impression that the Himachal unit is split wide open while the high command dithers on naming a new state president.
High Command Still Silent
Since the dissolution of party units late last year, the Congress in Himachal has been functioning without a full-time HPCC chief. Despite several rounds of talks between Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and state leaders, the tussle between the Virbhadra legacy camp and the Sukhu camp has stalled the decision.
Pratibha Singh’s Warning
Amid the chaos, Pratibha Singh — widow of six-time CM Virbhadra Singh — cautioned that ignoring her husband’s towering legacy could prove suicidal for the party. The Congress workers should same Josh to lift the Vote Chor Campaign with same Josh, she said.
Earlier, she reminded leaders that his mass base still holds sway in the hills. While she has kept the option of continuing as state president open, she stressed that the choice lies with the high command.
Sukhu’s Counter-Pitch
CM Sukhu, however, is pushing for change. He has lobbied for the HPCC post to go to a Scheduled Caste leader, even hinting at picking a sitting minister. This has sharpened the factional divide, with Vikramaditya’s camp resisting any move that sidelines their claim.
Why It Matters
As Rahul Gandhi trains his guns at the BJP with the “vote thief” refrain, Himachal Congress seems busy fighting its own battles.
Unless Rajni Patil can stitch up peace and Delhi takes a firm call, the echoes of “Kursi Chor” may well end up haunting the party from within.