Sharma is DPCC chief

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, November 6

Ending months of speculation, Ram Babu Sharma was made the president of the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) on Friday evening. The decision was taken after AICC general secretary in-charge of Delhi Ashok Gehlot met Congress President Sonia Gandhi earlier in the day.

The appointment of Sharma, a first time MLA from Rohtas Nagar in east Delhi, is considered to be a setback to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Sharma is a known detractor of the CM and has been quite vocal about it. The last two DPCC presidents – Chaudhary Prem Singh and Subhash Chopra too were in the camp opposed to Dikshit.

The post of DPCC president was vacant for the last four months after Prem Singh became the Speaker of the Delhi Assembly. Senior Vice President Narendra Nath was looking into the party matters and was the choice of Dikshit for the post. However, the high command chose to apply the principle of "checks and balances" while appointing Sharma. Party sources said that Dikshit was only "informed" of the decision but not consulted.

The new DPCC president cut his political clout as the leader of the House in the MCD and Chairman of theStanding Committee. Despite opposition from several quarters, he was given the party ticket to contest from Rohtas Nagar and won hands down. He is known for his deft handling of the MCD house and his organisational skills.

Though the next election in the city, the MCD polls, is due only in early 2007, Sharma would restructure the DPCC to sharpen the organisation in the next few weeks. (2004)