Congress must rise above factional politics: Anand Sharma

Hinting at the internecine factional politics plaguing the Himachal Congress, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Wednesday said that the party can win the coming assembly elections in the state only when the party rises above petty faction fighting. The Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House of Parliament received a warm welcome from Congress workers and leaders when he arrived at the state capital city Shimla. This was his first visit to the state after the resignation as chairman of Steering Committee of Himachal Congress.

Sharma also junked the idea that he would join the BJP.

“Congress can win the coming assembly elections in the state only when the party rises above petty factional politics,” Sharma said while praising effusively the warm reception he got from party workers. Many leaders made a beeline to seek an audience with Sharma who hit the headlines in recent days after he resigned as the head of the poll steering committee in the state. Factional fighting in Himachal Congress is of serious concern, he added.

However, Sharma was quite guarded when reflecting on the circumstances under which he resigned from the steering committee. Speaking to The Daily Guardian, Sharma said, “Why I resigned from the Congress Steering Committee is strictly between me and national interim president Sonia Gandhi. I have informed her about the real situation and this is an internal affair of the party which cannot be divulged.”

Sharma also spelled out the mantra for revival of the Grand Old Party across the country. He said that the party has to move forward after taking collective decisions. There has to be collective decision-making to make the organisation vibrant and functional. Referring to the upcoming elections in his home state, he said, “If the experience of the senior leaders and the enthusiasm of the young workers go hand in hand, Congress will sure win the elections hands down.”

He told that the Congress party has an illustrious history of welcoming every constructive suggestion. If a leader gives suggestions they should be dealt with due respect and the leader should never be targeted for doing so. Certain things happened in the party which should not have taken place at the first instance. But such things happen when you are a political organisation.

When the former Union minister was asked about the speculation that his meeting with BJP chief JP Nadda has fuelled in political circles, he junked the idea of joining the Saffron party. “I met Nadda because I have cordial relations with him. Himachal is a very small state and if somebody makes it big it is a moment of pride for all of us. This is part of our culture here.

I have seen the days when despite all differences we still could engage in healthy debate.”

Sharma categorically stated, “I am a die-hard Congress man and I have dedicated 51 years to the party. I cannot forsake the party in my twilight years now.

He also assured the party leadership that he would campaign for all Congress candidates in the party. Assembly elections in the state are due in November this year.