Dissidence in the Himachal Congress is at the highest level, literally. Snubbed by the central leadership in the selection of Madan Lal instead of Narinder Thakur for the Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, Pradesh Congress Committee president Kaul Singh Thakur has dashed off a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, conveying his strong displeasure over the choice of candidate. In his letter, the PCC president has given vent to his feeling of “humiliation and frustration”, stating that fielding Madan Lal would adversely affect the party prospects in the other three seats too. “Fielding a native of Hamirpur, especially Narinder Thakur, would have helped the Congress in pinning down Chief Minister Dhumal in Hamirpur and building-up a relatively better campaign in other constituencies,” he wrote.

Earlier, during the day, Thakur told mediapersons at Mandi that he has not ruled out the possibility of reconsideration by the party. Thakur also sought to disassociate himself from the poll outcome of Hamirpur. He, however, maintained that he has no choice but accept the high command’s decision if it remains firm on Madan Lal.

“In fact, Hamirpur has a history of electing paratroopers. So it won’t be a surprise if the party eventually wrests the seat from BJP,” he remarked.

When contacted and asked about letter, the PCC president said, “Being a disciplined and loyal Congressman, I have only tried to apprise the party of a few ground realities. It’s neither a revolt nor displeasure from my side.

But the decision is not very rational.”

In Kaul Singh’s support, two office-bearers of the district Congress and seven other leaders of the Youth Congress today sent their resignations to protest against Madan Lal’s candidature. They include Des Raj and Kamal Pathania, both DCC secretaries. “Giving a ticket to an outsider will adversely harm the party’s interests and it needs to be reviewed,” they said.

The PCC president had been backing Narinder Thakur ever since he joined the Congress last year. But, a section of Congress leaders, including former PCC president and Rajya Sabha member Viplove Thakur, along with a few sitting and former MLAs, were not comfortable with Narinder Thakur’s candidature. They, instead, suggested Madan Lal’s name to the high command and got the backing of Union Minister for External Affairs Anand Sharma and CLP leader Vidya Stokes.

A rival party group has hailed Madan Lal’s candidature and termed him the most “befitting” person to fight Anurag Thakur and bring victory to the Congress. “Who does not know Madan Lal’s standing as an outstanding cricketer and TV personality. I believe the high command has found a most suitable candidate to give the BJP a tough fight in Hamirpur,” said Viplove Thakur.