The Congress Party on Thursday got a huge morale booster after it managed to comfortably overtake the BJP in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
Congress won 40 out of the 68 seats in the assembly, placing itself in the position to form the next government in the state.
AP
The newly-elected MLAs will meet party’s state in-charge Rajeev Shukla and special observer and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday to nominate the legislative party leader.
Who is Pratibha Singh?
One of the most talked about name for the post of the Chief Minister is of Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh.
AP
As state party president, Pratibha is credited with powering the victory.
The wife of former six-term Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Pratibha, who has not contested the Assembly polls had led the party’s campaign from the front.
Pratibha Singh’s political career
Pratibha made her electoral debut in 1998 when she unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election from Mandi parliamentary seat.
In 2004 she contested the parliamentary election again and won. In the 2013 byelection she defeated Jai Ram Thakur, but lost to BJP candidate Ram Swaroop Sharma in 2014. In the byelection held last year, she again won from this seat.
Campaigned on husband’s legacy
Considering the family legacy and contribution, the Congress had appointed the three-time MP as the state unit president, well-ahead of the Assembly polls.
During the campaign, Pratibha had sought votes in the assembly polls on development carried out by her husband Virbhadra Singh during his six terms as the Chief Minister.
Pratibha had missed no opportunity to remind the electorate that the victory in assembly election “will be a tribute to him (Virbhadra Singh)”.
“Not only the Congress supporters but also from other parties voted for us as a tribute for Virbhadra Singh,” she said.
She banked on the party’s promise to bring back the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) that will benefit 225,000 employees, a crucial vote bank.
AP
Can’t neglect Virbhadra Singh’s family
Reposing faith in the party legislators, Pratibha Singh told the media: “People have given us the mandate. We can meet (our MLAs) anywhere, including Chandigarh or in the state. Those who have won will be with us and we will form the government.”
AP
Ahead of the crucial Legislative Party meet Pratibha made her position clear.
“They can’t neglect Virbhadra Singh’s family. We won on his name, face and work. It can’t be that you use his name, face and family and give credit to someone else. High Command won’t do this,” she said.
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