Shimla, Mar 20
Today in New Delhi, Pratibha Singh, the Chief of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) and a sitting Member of Parliament from Mandi, announced her decision not to contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Singh cited her perceived inability, urging the party’s high command to refrain from nominating her.
Singh’s statement, expressing reluctance to enter the electoral fray, is expected to stir political waves in the state, particularly as she had previously openly praised the BJP and by refusing to contest may have acknowledged potential defeat in the forthcoming polls.
During interaction with media, Singh conveyed about her decision shared directly with the Congress high command. She has repeatedly expressed disappointment over the neglect of party workers by their own government, emphasizing that her extensive constituency visits led her to conclude that success seemed unlikely, therefore prompting her to withdraw from the contest.
Singh’s remarks come amidst a backdrop of political turmoil, notably following the recent defection of six disqualified Congress MLAs during the Rajya Sabha election.
It is being speculated that the party’s high command has conveyed dissatisfaction with the performance of both the state president and her son, Vikramaditya. Furthermore, the party highlighted the substantial relief packages provided by the Sukhu-led government to regions like Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur, Rampur, and Pangi, asserting that such aid had not been matched by any other state government in the country.
Close aides of Singh suggested that her response was perhaps influenced by external pressures, as her decision seemed beyond comprehension.
Currently, Singh, along with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, is in New Delhi to deliberate on candidate nominations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. With the election scheduled for June 1 and notification expected on May 7, the party leadership is engaged in strategic discussions to finalize their electoral strategy.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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