When Sonia-Rahul Vetoed Priyanka's Proposal to make Agnihotri as HP CM
The Congress win in Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls may have elated Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her supporters as the win had come after a four year long drought for the party. She along with her supporters Bhupesh Baghel, Rajiv Shukla, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Sachin Pilot and a handful of others campaigned in Himachal. But her writ didn’t run when it came to picking up the Chief Ministerial candidate in Himachal.
It transpires that Priyanka wanted Mukesh Agnihotri as the CM and even two observers also recommended Agnihotri's name for the post. Agnihotri is a trusted loyalist of late Virbhadra Singh and Pratibha Singh had also decided to back him when she found that she didn't have much of a support. But it was Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, four time MLA and arch enemy of Virbhadra Singh, who was picked up by Sonia Gandhi in consultation with Rahul Gandhi. Rahul was with her at the Ranthambore National Park and it was here that they decided that Sukhu be made the CM.
It is learnt that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was in Kalaburgi in Karnataka on December 10 and was about to address a rally when a call came on his mobile. He got up from his seat and went behind the dais. Sources said it was Rahul Gandhi on the other side of the phone and informed him that Sukhu be declared as the next CM.
It was also decided that Rahul Gandhi will return to Delhi on Saturday night itself from Ranthambore National Park and attend the swearing-in-ceremony. Accordingly, Kharge immediately rang up Hooda, Baghel and Rajiv Shukla to convey the decision to the Governor and fix the swearing-in on Sunday itself. Sources also say that Sukhu had also handed over a letter, signed by 21 out of 40 Congress MLAs to the observers who lent their support to him for the CM’s post. However, observers still wanted Agnihotri. But Sonia Gandhi vetoed Priyanka’s choice.
