Virbhadra Singh appointed Congress’ Himachal chief
August 29th, 2012 - 12:28 am ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS) The Congress Tuesday formally appointed former Union minister Virbhadra Singh as its state unit chief in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh.
It also appointed Commerce Minister Anand Sharma as chairman of the campaign committee in place of Virbhadra Singh.
A statement issued by the party here Tuesday said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had accepted resignation of Kaul Singh as president of Himachal Pradesh Congress and Virbhadra Singh had been appointed Himachal Pradesh Congress chief with immediate effect.
State legislator Anil Sharma has been made co-convenor of the campaign committtee.
Senior party leaders had told the media Sunday that a decision has been taken by party president Sonia Gandhi to appoint Virbhadra Singh as the state unit chief.
A five time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, he is regarded in party circles as a leader with state-wide following and an ability to draw crowds.
Virbhadra Singh, 78, had been unhappy over the composition of some poll related panels in the state and wanted a greater say in ticket distribution.
Party leaders have hopes that the changes will bring more cohesion to the party’s state unit and draw enthusiastic participation of all leaders.
Virbhadra Singh had resigned as micro, small and medium enterprises minister in June in the wake of a Shimla court order in a 23-year-old corruption case.
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- Congress tries to mollify sulking Virbhadra - Jul 27, 2012
- Congress assures sulking Virbhadra of larger say in candidate selection (Lead) - Jul 28, 2012
- Congress mulling naming Virbhadra Himachal unit chief - Aug 24, 2012
- Congress appoints Virbhadra campaign committee chief for Himachal elections - Jul 17, 2012
- Virbhadra Singh is Himachal Congress chief - Aug 26, 2012
- Sonia rallies in Himachal in September - Aug 29, 2012
- Virbhadra accuses Dhumal of vindictiveness - Jul 01, 2012
- Virbhadra Singh meets Sonia, supporters - Aug 22, 2012
- Virbhadra as chief to end Himachal Congress confusion (News Analysis) - Aug 26, 2012
- Virbhadra faces graft charge; says will resign if asked to (Roundup) - Jun 26, 2012
- Anxiety in BJP over move to make Virbhadra Himachal Congress chief (Himachal Pradesh Newsletter) - Aug 25, 2012
- Virbhadra to head Congress' Himachal poll campaign - Jun 30, 2012
- Virbhadra, Anand Sharma in Congress' Himachal strategy panel - May 07, 2012
- Himachal Congress legislators knock on Sonia's door (Himachal Pradesh Newsletter) - Apr 22, 2012
Tags: anand sharma, campaign committee, chief minister, commerce minister, congress chief, congress president sonia gandhi, convenor, corruption case, enthusiastic participation, himachal pradesh, kaul, party circles, party leaders, party president, small and medium enterprises, state legislator, ticket distribution, union minister, unit chief, virbhadra singh