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No CM nominee in Himachal: Dhawan

Dharamsala: The Congress will not project anyone as its Chief Ministerial candidate in Himachal Pradesh in keeping with the party tradition, Congress Working Committee member R. K. Dhawan said here on Friday.

“The Congress never projected its Chief Minister before the results of any Assembly election anywhere in India and the same tradition will be followed here in the State also,” Mr. Dhawan, who is in charge of Himachal Pradesh affairs, said.

The name of the nominee will be declared after consultation with the newly elected MLAs and the high command’s decision will be final in this regard, he said.

Mr. Dhawan’s statement about keeping the option of the Chief Ministerial candidate open assumes significance in the light of the fact that a section of the Congress leadership was putting pressure on the Central leadership to replace Virbhadra Singh who hasbeen the State’s Chief Minister five times and is making a bid for a sixth term.

With the names of candidates for three tribal seats announced and the party in the process of finalising names of nominees for the rest of the 65 seats, Mr. Dhawan said “winning potential” would be the deciding factor for allotment of tickets.

Sitting MPs, associate members and rebel leaders who have come back to the party could also be nominated, he said.

The party is ready to give 33 per cent seats to the women nominees, provided they have the potential to win, he added. — PTI

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No CM nominee in Himachal: Dhawan

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