Had learnt tips of politics from her husband Former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh
Dinesh Kanwar
In speculations of change in the organisational structure of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee the candidature of two times member of parliament from Mandi parliament constituency and wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Rani Pratiba Singh could be considered for to lead the HPCC in times when congress was facing leadership crises despite having several senior congress men in the state.
Pertinent to mention that Pritibha Singh had remained on important positions in the congress committee and knew in-outs of the party in the state. She had apt knowledge of working of congress committee in the state. It was well understood that Pratibha Singh had learnt tips of politics from her husband Virhadra Singh and had in depth knowledge of congress leaders and workers. Most importantly she might be knowing, who were mass leaders and who were sailing in paper boats.
Pratibha Singh on the other hand had also grip on the Himachal Pradesh secretariat as there was no dearth of Virbhadra Singh loyalists there. This helped the family to know ins and outs of government forehand and plan strategies for the future.
Although many senior leaders in congress party wanted Pritibha Singh to contest bye election from Mandi Parliament and take advantage of sympathy wave to win the seat yet uncertainty prevailed as Pratibha Singh had maintained silence on contesting any election. Importantly, the seat of Arki assembly constituency that stood vacant after demise of Virbhadra Singh could be her priority.
Meanwhile statement of Veteran Congress leader Pt Sukh Ram from Mandi had added fire to the situation. He had lambasted Kuldeep Rathor HPCC president for declaring Pritibha Singh as congress candidate from Mandi. Sukh Ram had questioned, “who is Kuldeep Rathor to declare candidature for Mandi Parliament”. Notably, his grandson Ashray Sharma was congress candidate from Mandi in 2019 loksabha seat. Sukh Ram remained ambitious to field his grandson and wanted to see him in the loksabha. This dream was shattered when Ashray lost with a margin of almost four lac votes.
Moreover the move of change in the HPCC organisation in the state is on the cards and there could be possibility that Prithba Singh could deny to go in to elections. In case this happens, her candidature for the post of president of HPCC could also be considered along with other players.