A Union Minister Anand Sharma rally in Kangra district seems like a show of strength by a faction of the party’s Himachal unit which is planning to make it a grand affair. Anand Sharma will arrive in Kangra district on a two-day visit to address a rally in the Jawali Assembly constituency and lay the foundation stone of an office of the Regional Tea Board at Palampur.
Congress leader and MLA G S Bali said that it will be a grand reception for Anand Sharma and 151 motorcyclists and 101 cars will lead the Cabinet minister from Gaggal airport to Palampur and 51 welcome gates are also coming up along the 40 km route for his greeting.
The rally to be held on April 10 comes close on the heels of a public meeting held there by Union Minister Virbhadra Singh and is being seen in political circles here as a move by his rival faction of the party to counter Virbhadra’s rally. On the same day Virbhadra Singh will be also on State Visit and it is hoping that it will be will be dominated by anti-Virbhadra faction.
However, Bali claimed that there is no rivalry in the Congress’ state unit and it was an official public rally of the party. However, Virbhadra Singh close aides claimed that they have not get any official information regarding rally, whereas Bali said every leader has been informed telephonically. There is no doubt about the rally success as Bali can pull crowd and will surely manage a good show, but for Virbhadra rivals’ camp it will be a pure show of strengthens and if they fails it will be a direct gain for Virbhadra Singh.
