A deputation of the aggrieved Congress leaders of District Congress Committee, Shimla (Urban), led by Pradeep Singh, met Union Minister Anand Sharma, AICC general secretary Birender Singh and other Central leaders in Delhi and took up the matter of expulsion of lower-rung leaders by HPCC President Virbhadra Singh.
Terming the action as unwarranted and unjustified, the deputation impressed upon the leaders that the expulsion of district general secretary Sanjeev Kuthiala and his councillor wife Sushma Kuthiala was the handiwork of coterie surrounding Virbhadra Singh.
They pointed out that the state leadership was using double standards and action was being taken on factional considerations. Pradeep Singh alleged that the coterie headed by senior Congress leader Harsh Mahajan was calling the shots in the Virbhadra camp as a result of which the entire party was suffering.
Pradeep Kumar claimed that no notice was served and the leaders were expelled straightaway. He alleged that there were other leaders who openly worked against the official party candidate during the Assembly poll, but no action was taken against them.
Shimla DCC deputation said that Anand Sharma assured them that he would take up the matter at the appropriate level and justice would be done. Delegation also met AICC secretary Asha Kumari and Union Minister Chandresh Kumari, who also extended support to them and assured to take up the issue.
In statement Pradeep Kumar said that the BJP had started preparing for the 2014 Lok Sabha poll and it had already appointed the in charge for the four seats and trying to bring back those who deserted the party. However, certain leaders in the state Congress were keen to settle personal scores rather than taking steps to strengthen the organisation. He added that they did not even have the patience to wait for the declaration of the poll results and had started throwing out dedicated workers and leaders out of the party.
