SHIMLA: The Congress has launched the Lakshya-2019 campaign to prepare for elections scheduled for next year. But its fate hinges on the equation between former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and state Congress president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, which is volatile as of now.The AICC state in-charge tried to bring the warring leaders together but closed door meetings did not yield a positive result. Virbhadra Singh remained firm on his demand to remove Sukhu.In the backdrop of the infighting, the party seems to be on the backfoot much before the announcement of the election. Sources said Virbhadra Singh is firm on his stand to remove Sukhu from the post of state president. Before leaving for the party meeting in Solan, Rajni Patil held closed door meetings with Virbhadra Singh and Sukhu at a hotel in Shimla but nothing came of it. Virbhadra Singh wants the next state president to be appointed before the parliamentary election.Virbhadra is also reportedly unhappy with talks of putting him in the “margdarshak mandal.” “ Will my position be similar to that of Lal Krishan Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi in the BJP? I am more active than any of them,” he said in Theog. He said he would tour the entire state ahead of the parliamentary election soon.After the meeting in Shimla, Sukhu and Virbhadra Singh arrived separately for Solan meeting. Sukhu was accompanied by Patil and the others. In Solan, party workers raised slogans in favour of Virbhadra Singh and Sukhu.

Stay updated with all the Latest Shimla headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.