9 months after,it’s team Virbhadra under Kaul Singh

“After all,ahead of the 2012 elections,Virbhadra Singh— a five-time state chief minister with a base spread across the state — could not have been kept away if the Congress wanted to make a serious bid to power in Himachal Pradesh,” said a party member in Delhi.

But this has certainly shaken the fortunes of Kaul Singh Thakur — a strong contender for the chief minister’s post — backed by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma and AICC secretary Asha Kumari.

While former minister Ram Lal Thakur,who had started an open tirade against Thakur for his chief ministerial ambitions,is now the new PCC general secretary,former MP and OBC leader from Kangra,Chander Kumar,is the party vice-president. Earlier,Kumar was Virbhadra Singh’s choice for party post,beside former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir. Harsh Mahajan,a former Congress minister,who did not contest last Assembly elections voluntarily but became Virbhadra Singh’s poll manager for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections has also been been named a vice-president.

Those close to Thakur,like former MLA Rohit Thakur — grandson of former chief minister Thakur Ram Lal — could not make it to the new executive. However,Ram Kumar — a district leader and son of former MLA Chaudhry Lajja Ram — has been handpicked to become general secretary. He is a strong contender for a Assembly ticket.

Asked about the new executive,60 per cent of which is dominated by his rivals,Thakur told The Indian Express over phone from Reckong Peo (Kinnaur): “Currently,I am touring the state’s tribal belt. I think high command has tried to strike a balance and bring all leaders — old and young — together. My effort will be to make the team vibrant and proactive.”

But the camp lead by Virbhadra Singh is ecstatic. “The party high command seems to have got its feedback from the state that without Raja Sahib (Virbhadra),it cannot move ahead or fight head on with the BJP. So,he has been given due weight in the executive. It is for others to read the writings on the wall,” a sitting MLA said.

Alongwith Virbhadra Singh,Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes has managed to get an upper hand. Former minister G S Bali,who represents Kangra belt,is also a big gainer — apparently getting some of his choicest people inducted,including those from his own area.

Satya Parmar,daughter-in-law of Himachal’s first chief Minister Y S Parmar has been made PCC vice-president for the first time to give women more representation. Anil Sharma,MLA and son of former communication minister Sukh Ram,is also among the executive members.

The permanent invitees of the party included Virbhadra Singh,Anand Sharma,Sat Mahajan,Viplove Thakur,Anita Verma,Kuldeep Kumar,Asha Kumari,Rangila Ram Rao and Shiv Kumar. Ajay Mahajan,Kangra veteran Sat Mahajan’s son,has also place room in the PCC as a general secretary.

However,districts like Kullu and the entire tribal belt of Lahual-Spiti and Kinnaur have not got a single leader in the body. According to sources,the PCC president,who is slated to be in Delhi next week,may lobby for a second list. But for now,it is surely Virbhadra Singh overshadowing the PCC executive.