PCC election to await Sonia's arrival

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 30. A final decision on ``election'' of the new Delhi Pradesh Congress (I) Committee president is likely to be delayed till the week-end. Any move in this direction would take place only after the return of the Congress president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who is on a three-day tour to Amethi.

Insiders in the party said although the high command is of the view that the present incumbent, Mr. Subhash Chopra, deserves another term and a final view has almost been reached on his re- election, but a formal announcement is likely to be delayed.

In fact, the Pradesh Returning Officer (PRO) for Delhi, Ms. Vidya Stokes, also running for the Himachal PCC post is busy in the State politics which has added to the delay. As soon as a decision with regard to Himachal is taken, things would start moving in Delhi. It is the PRO who has to finalise the date of election.

Sources said the election was likely to be unanimous, but all procedures would be followed to take care of the guidelines set by the Central Election Committee Chairman, Mr. Ram Niwas Mirdha. No other name has come in for consideration to head the Delhi unit and Mr. Chopra looks the obvious choice.

Although, the Kamla Nagar MLA, Mr. Shadi Ram, had thrown his hat in the ring, he was never considered a serious candidate. It is understood that Mr. Shadi Ram had been asked by the party high command to opt out and let the election be a smooth affair. Mr. Ram, a loyalist of the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, had accused Mr. Chopra of discrepancies in the list of the delegates. The party leadership did not want to send the wrong signal to its units in various parts of the country by holding an election in Delhi.

It is learnt that the Chief Minister has also withdrawn her opposition to the candidature of Mr. Chopra and has reconciled to his being re-elected. But she had lodged her strong protest with the leadership over the lack of representation to women, SCs and STs in the delegates list. There was also a talk of an understanding on the issue between the Chief Minister and Mr. Chopra over the latter's election. But sources close to Mr. Chopra claim that nothing of this sort had taken place.

The decision to allow a second term to Mr. Chopra, sources said, was being taken to strike a balance and a working relationship between the Government and the party. Of late, both wings have taken up jointly the issue of closure of industries and the regularisation of unauthorised colonies. It is believed that the party leadership would do a balancing act in selecting delegates for the AICC(I). Only those with proven loyalty to the leadership are likely to be considered. But for the present, all eyes are on the election of the local unit chief.

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