Soni to continue as AICC J&K in-charge
TNN Bureau. Updated: 7/23/2017 1:45:07 AM
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JAMMU: Veteran Congress leader Ambika Soni who has been relieved from the charge of AICC general secretary in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand shall continue to look after Jammu and Kashmir affairs.
Soni is on second extended term as AICC general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir. She was first time appointed as J&K in-charge in April 2011 along Ghulam Nabi Azad's appointment as president of state Congress. She continued for a few years but her term was interrupted. Soni returned as Congress in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir affairs on the eve of 2014 elections.
Earlier today, the Congress appointed former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde as its general secretary incharge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh, replacing Ambika Soni. Soni had requested
the party leadership to relieve her of the responsibility as incharge of party affairs in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to health reasons.
Shinde will be assisted by Bihar MP Ranjeet Ranjan as AICC Secretary for Himachal Pradesh. She replaces Raja Ram Pal.
"Congress President Sonia Gandhi has constituted a new team to look after party affairs in Himachal Pradesh in place of Ambika Soni and Raja Ram Pal and appointed Sushil Kumar Shinde as AICC general secretary incharge and Ranjeet Ranjan Secretary AICC.
"Ambika Soni had requested to be relieved from her responsibility as incharge of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, due to reasons of health. She will continue as AICC general secretary incharge of Jammu and Kashmir," said a statement issued by AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi.
Himachal Pradesh goes to polls later this year and the party is gearing up for restructuring its unit there.