New Delhi: After the Congress' poll fiasco in Punjab owing to infighting, party president Sonia Gandhi has instructed Himachal Pradesh leaders to avoid a Punjab-like situation and stay together as the state prepares to hold Assembly elections later this year.
"You all are seated together right but otherwise you don't even talk to each other," Sonia Gandhi reportedly said to party leaders, said sources.
Rajiv Shukla, the Congress' Himachal Pradesh in-charge, was also present during the meeting. Following the Aam Aadmi Party's victory in Punjab, Congress representatives updated Sonia Gandhi on the AAP's current position in Himachal Pradesh.
"In Himachal Pradesh, the AAP is not an issue. Only those who do not receive tickets from the BJP or the Congress would run on the AAP ticket "Rajiv Shukla expressed his thoughts.
Sonia Gandhi met with AAP officials in the state to discuss the party's position and advised them to plan a poll strategy to counter competitors. "Sonia Gandhi was assured by all Himachal Pradesh politicians that they would remain together and that a crisis similar to Punjab would not occur there. Party leaders promised the AICC president that whatever decision the central leadership makes, state leaders will accept it "according to sources
According to sources, the state party president and legislature party leader may be replaced if the circumstances warrants it. "Central leadership is not transferring any officer bearers for now," sources noted, "but the option is open."
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