AICC in-charge PC Chacko dilutes Sheila Dikshit's powers

New Delhi: Stating that Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit is “not keeping well”, AICC in-charge P.C. Chacko on Wednesday authorised the three working presidents to hold meetings of district and block committee heads and take decisions, seen as an attempt to dilute her powers amid a deepening turf war between the two.

Mr Chacko wrote to Ms Dikshit apprising her of his decision following which she issued an “action note” of her own assigning different set of responsibilities to the working presidents.

Ms Dikshit’s aides said that she was in hospital for a routine check-up and was discharged on Monday, and alleged that “rumours” were being spread about her health.

In his letter, Mr Chacko expressed displeasure that his earlier directions were not implemented and some “so-called spokespersons” of the party were issuing “irresponsible” statements and questioning the decisions of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge.

He said that Assembly elections in Delhi are a few months away and the working of Delhi Congress Committee has to be streamlined as early as possible.

“As you are not keeping well and hospitalised and I did not receive any reply to my letters, in the interest of the party, I am authorising the working presidents to hold meetings of district and block presidents in their respective areas and take appropriate decisions to activate the party and report to you the decisions taken,” Mr Chacko wrote to Ms Dikshit.

In the “action note” signed by Ms Dikshit, working president Haroon Yusuf was allocated supervision of East Delhi Municipal Corporation, four Assembly segments (Timarpur, Burari, Okhla and Jungpura), Mahila Congress, Sewa Dal and NSUI.

Devender Yadav was assigned South Delhi Municipal Corporation and Youth Congress, while Rajesh Lilothia was allocated North Delhi Municipal Corporation and cells of Delhi Congress. Sources said Mr Chacko also wrote letters to the three working presidents asking them to monitor the party affairs in their respective areas and hold meetings and plan organisational programmes.

The differences between the two leaders had surfaced in Lok Sabha elections with Mr Chacko, and former Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken supporting an alliance with AAP in Delhi which was strongly resisted by Ms Dikshit and her followers.