Chandigarh: In a significant move following the polling for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, the Congress party has expelled five local leaders and removed another five from their posts for a period of six years due to their involvement in ‘anti-party’ activities.
Expelled Leaders:
The leaders expelled include:
- Deepa Asdhir Dubey, former president of Chandigarh Mahila Congress
- Hafiz Anwarulhaq, vice-president
- Ravi Thakur, general secretary
- Sahib Dubey, joint secretary
- Abhishek Shanky, local unit delegate
Leaders Removed from Posts:
The leaders relieved from their positions are:
- Harphool Chand Kalyan, vice-president and former mayor
- Hakam Sarhadi, general secretary
- Venod Sharma, general secretary
- Satish Kainth, spokesperson
- Manoj Garg, secretary
Reasons for the Expulsions:
The action was initiated by the party high command after receiving a detailed report from Jagdish, a former MLA from Rajasthan and the observer for the Chandigarh parliamentary constituency. The decision was made in consultation with Chandigarh Congress candidate Manish Tewari and senior party leaders, with approval from Rajiv Shukla, AICC general secretary and in-charge of Chandigarh.
Background of the Conflict:
The expelled leaders had previously protested and resigned in opposition to the party’s decision to nominate Manish Tewari for the Chandigarh seat on April 13. These leaders were loyalists of four-time Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal and had been advocating for his candidacy. Following their protest, Deepa Dubey was removed from her position as Chandigarh Mahila Congress president and replaced by Nandita Hooda as acting president.
Internal Dissent and Allegations:
Harphool Chand Kalyan had publicly suggested that the Congress should sever ties with its alliance partner AAP, threatening that some party leaders would opt for NOTA (None of the Above) in the elections if this was not done. Additionally, allegations surfaced that several of these leaders were seen supporting BJP candidates. Notably, Dubey’s husband was reportedly campaigning for BJP candidate Sanjay Tandon.
Impact on the Campaign:
The internal dissent significantly impacted the Congress campaign in Chandigarh. Pawan Kumar Bansal, despite his history with the constituency, distanced himself from Tewari’s campaign, participating in only one event attended by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on May 26. Bansal focused his efforts on supporting party candidates in Mohali and Panchkula, rather than Chandigarh, where Tewari actively campaigned through foot marches, public meetings, rallies, and door-to-door visits.
Conclusion:
The expulsion and removal of these leaders highlight the ongoing internal conflicts within the Congress party, particularly in the context of candidate selection and alliance dynamics. As the party navigates these challenges, the focus remains on consolidating support and ensuring unity ahead of crucial electoral battles.
