Congress infighting intensifies as Neeraj Bharati targets Sukhu loyalists
Shimla, June 9,
The ongoing factionalism within the Himachal Pradesh Congress has taken a sharper turn, with expelled party leader Neeraj Bharti launching fresh attacks on leaders perceived to be close to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
Days after the Pradesh Congress Committee expelled Bharti from the party for five years and removed him from the post of State Vice-President, the former Congress leader continued his public offensive against the party leadership.
In a series of social media posts and statements, Bharti accused some young Congress leaders of changing loyalties for political convenience while attempting to project themselves as staunch supporters of the Chief Minister.
Referring to Congress leader Vinod Zinta, Bharti alleged that those now projecting unwavering loyalty to Sukhu had once been aligned with the camp of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
He claimed that political history could not be erased merely by changing factions and recalled an old incident in the Congress office, alleging that a chair was thrown during an altercation involving supporters of Sukhu.He said that he also injured Sukhu loyalist in the incident
Bharti maintained that many grassroots Congress workers feel sidelined under the present dispensation and claimed that the government was failing to address their concerns. He alleged that criticism from party workers was being suppressed rather than addressed.
The former Congress leader also did not spare his father, senior Cabinet Minister Chaudhary Chander Kumar. While expressing personal respect for him, Bharti said he was dissatisfied with his father’s public criticism of his statements.
He remarked that Chander Kumar could have spoken to him directly instead of responding through the media. Announcing to snap poltical connection with his father Bharti further stated that he was unlikely to work alongside his father in future elections.
Defending his political career, Bharti said his entry into active politics was not aimed at succeeding his father but occurred when the Congress had fielded Chander Kumar in parliamentary elections while he contested and won an Assembly seat.
The continuing exchange of allegations has exposed growing unease within Congress ranks and provided fresh ammunition to the opposition BJP, which has repeatedly targeted the ruling party over internal divisions and governance issues.
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