Sources in the Congress confirm that the Central leadership has made the appointment against the wishes of Virbhadra Singh, who had vehemently opposed Sukhu's name for the post. Virbhadra Singh's first choice was Parmodh Singh, a former spokesman of th All India Youth Congress. Two other names, which he had suggested included Harshvarshan Singh Chauhan, a second-term MLA and his son veteran Congress leader from Sirmaur district and Renuka Dogra, present HPYC president.

Sukhu was never favoured by Virbhadra, who had shot off separate letters to AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes opposing his name.``Apart from the fact he is ill-tempered and a person with a negative image, he is closely identified with Sukh Ram in all matters and is considered as his trusted henchmen,'' he wrote in his letter of October 12.

Virbhadra Singh, in this letter had even alleged that those canvassing for Sukhu had tried to misrepresent facts on Sukhu's background. ``I would like to bring to your kind notice that the vast majority of Congressmen in the state, including senior leaders, MLAs, HPCC office-bearers and members, presidents of DCCs, Block Congress and functionaries of Panchayati Raj institutions are strongly opposed to the candidature of Sukhu,'' his letter reads.

The Former CM had also conveyed to the AICC that Sukhu's appointment would sent wrong signals and would weaken the organisation. Contrary to his views, senior leaders like former speaker Vidya Stokes are understood to have lobbied for Sukhu. Former CM Ram Lal Thakur, in his statement had hailed the appointment of Sukhu and complimented the AICC president on her choice.

``Sukhu is most suitable and the rank and file of the organisation should support him,'' he suggested.

Now as Sukhu has replaced former MLA Kuldeep Pathania as head of the YC, Virbhadra, though quite upset, is understood to have decided to ignore the matter. Some of his loyalists, who had discussed the issue, are also learnt to have advised the former CM not to give this much importance.

His detractors, on the other hand are trying to draw their own conclusions. They are examining questions like whether Sonia Gandhi has started giving importance to leaders like Vidya Stokes, Ram Lal Thakur, Sat Mahajan and other detractors of Virbhadra.

``Despite all this, even today the entire rank and file of the Congress, CLP, DCCs and workers are with Virbhadra Singh,'' maintains a sitting MLA.