Top party leaders including Union Ministers V B Singh and Anand Sharma, HPCC president Kaul Singh Thakur, Leader of the Opposition Vidya Stokes, former HPCC chief Viplove Thakur and AICC secretary Asha Kumari met at Parwanoo under the chairmanship of Barinder Singh, in-charge of Himachal, to draw the poll strategy, a party leader said.
The meeting was convened on the directions of Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the wake of reports that senior leaders were pursuing their own agenda and holding separate meetings that could mar the party's prospects in the polls due later this year.
The party decided to hold the first meeting on May 19 and also made it clear that no leader would hold separate meetings without the knowledge and permission of HPCC chief Kaul Singh and party in-charge Barinder Singh.
The young party leaders were upset over the rift at the top state leadership. Eighteen young MLAs impressed upon the party high command that unity at the top was "essential" for the return of Congress to power.
"The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The polls would be fought under collective leadership and joint rallies would be held from May 19. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi would be invited to Himachal to give boost to the campaign," HPCC chief Kaul Singh said.
All top Congress leaders were of the view that sincere and joint efforts should be made to wrest power from the BJP in the state, he added. PTI PCL
RAI
