Virbhadra appointed chairman of campaign committee in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: The supporters of Virbhadra Singh are in jubilant mood following the appointment of former union minister Virbhadra Singh as the chairman of party's campaign committee for the coming Assembly poll in the state.
After the framing of charges against him by a Shimla court in a corruption case, there was suspense over Virbhdara's role in coming assembly polls but with his appointment party high command indicated its full backing to him.Virbhadra Singh was earlier inducted as member of party's manifesto committee for the coming election but he refused to join it as union minister for commerce Anand Sharma was made its chairman and Nagrota MLA G S Bali was its convener.
Rivalry of Virbhadra Singh with these two leaders is no secret in Himachal Pradesh. As Virbhadra Singh is scheduled to reach Parwanoo in Himachal Pradesh on July 1, his supporters have planned a grand welcome for him.
Though Virbhadara stayed away from June 30 rally of state Congress president Kaul Singh Thakur at Mandi, but he would remain present at Kullu on July 2 as AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi would be holding series of meetings with state leaders. After his resignation from union cabinet, Virbhadra Singh through a statement had blamed chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal for framing false and concocted case against him. He had also declared a war against Dhumal in people's court. Since the court order on June 25, Virbhadra supporters including sitting MLAs and former legislators and ministers were camping at Delhi in his support.
Virbhadra Singh enjoys the mass support across the state and ignoring him during coming assembly elections was not easy for Congress high command. One of the strongest contender for the chief ministerial bert, Virbhadra Singh had shown his strength on June 23 by holding a massive rally in Shimla's ice skating rink. Virbhadra Sinh enjoys the support of majority of Congress MLAs.