IPH minister against Nattha Singh's candidature for Rajya Sabha

Una, Mar 11 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Irrigation and Public Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur today refused to back Nattha Singh for the Rajya Sabha seat falling vacant on April two, saying he was not in favour of the candidate.

Talking to reporters here, he said, ''my views could differ with those of the chief minister's,'' but hastened to add that ''he is our leader''.

Mr Thakur said it was the prerogative of the Congress high command to decide the party's candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat, falling vacant due to expiry of the current incumbent Kripal Parmar's tenure on April two.

Around 100 state Congress leaders had sent a resolution to the AICC, favouring Kuldip Kumar for the post of the PCC President, he said, adding that the AICC decided in favour of Viplove Thakur.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and 41 other Congressmen are favouring Nattha Singh for the Rajya Sabha seat.

The IPH Minister said he was, however, of the opinion that the Rajya Sabha candidate should be a Himachali, and not from outside the state.

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