The Hindu : New Delhi News : Race for DPCC top post hots up

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Saturday, Jun 09, 2007
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New Delhi

Race for DPCC top post hots up

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

Direct contest between Chauhan, Tirath likely

NEW DELHI: Talk is rife in the Congress circles these days that the search for new Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president is turning into a direct contest between Development Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan and Member of Parliament Krishna Tirath. Though Rajya Sabha member from Delhi J. P. Aggarwal was also in the running, it is now being widely believed that he is keen on a post in the All-India Congress Committee.

Even before the party contested the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections in April, many had started seeing the polls as the last major assignment for DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma. A staunch rival of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, he and 14 other party leaders had a few years ago launched a campaign to dislodge her. However, as it had become known that Ms Dikshit was here to stay and enjoyed the support of the party high command, most dissidents started making amends with her.

The difference between the party leadership and the Congress Government is believed by many to be one of the reasons for the party's loss in the MCD elections. "Sealing and demolitions were issues in the elections, but it was primarily corruption in the MCD and the way the Congress itself cornered the Government on power and water that led to the defeat," said a political observer.

But now with less than a year-and-a-half to go for the Assembly elections, there is widespread feeling in the party rank and file that the Delhi Congress leadership and the Government should work in tandem by taking across to the people the work done by them and the policies initiated to improve the lives of the masses if they are to improve their chances of winning the polls.

"The Congress would be vying for a third term and the fatigue factor would be there. But considering that the BJP did not do as well as it should have in the MCD polls, the Congress still stands a chance if it changes some of the sitting MLAs in the 2008 polls," a senior leader said.

Since Mr. Chauhan has a clean image and is acceptable to a large section of the party and the Delhi Government, he has emerged as a clear favourite for the job of DPCC president. He also belongs to the Scheduled Caste and some believe that this could also prove critical in checking Bahujan Samaj Party's growth in Delhi.

Mr. Aggarwal is also acceptable to the Delhi Government but there are a number of senior MPs such as Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler and Kapil Sibal who are not in his favour.

Some also believe that he is not suited for the post as it requires a person who can take people along through some deft handling and sweet talk.

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