Cong harps on unity as Sukhu stays away from Rathore’s event

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 17

The Congress today tried to put up a united show on the occasion of installation of newly appointed Congress president Kuldeep Rathore even as outgoing party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu chose to stay away.

The Congress in the presence of AICC In-charge Rajni Patil, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, all party MLAs and former legislators harped on forging unity and taking on the BJP to wrest the four Lok Sabha seats won by it in 2014.

Addressing the gathering, Patil condemned the manner in which acrimonious statements by leaders and office bearers had vitiated the atmosphere in the last few days. “Each one of the leader owes his position to the party and any statement which is against the party will not be accepted,” she warned. She said all the leaders, including Sukhu, would work for ensuring party’s victory in the parliamentary polls.

Speaking on the occasion, party president Kuldeep Rathore said he would not act with vendetta but at the same time will not tolerate indiscipline. “I want to take everyone along but at the same time I will not hesitate to undertake surgery if there is indiscipline. My simple message to all office bearers would be to act or leave,” he said. He also emphasized that personality cult will not be tolerated as “party organization is above any individual,” he said. There would be no place for personal egos.

Rathore, in a choked voice, said he has never aspired for any post and nobody can understand the pain of a simple party worker more than him. “I have been made president by Rahul Gandhi with the blessings of all senior leaders, including Sukhu, “in whose installation as NSUI and Youth Congress president I had played an instrumental role,” he remarked.

He also said that he would work as per the strategy chalked out by all senior leaders, who could even pull him up as they were elderly people. “I might not be able to visit all the blocks but I expect to work unitedly for ensuring the party’s victory in the parliamentary polls,” he said. He said Sukhu who could not come as he was unwell had assured him of full support. Virbhadra said: “There is no question of “ifs and buts” as change is always for the good.” He said he would lead the party from the front.