The former Union communication minister and expelled Congress leader Sukh Ram yesterday launched a new regional outfit named 'Himachal Vikas Congress' at a one-day convention of his supporters here.
The 70-year old veteran leader, chargesheeted by the CBI in the telecom scandal, was elected the president of the party which demanded dissolution of the state Assembly to pave way for a fresh mandate. Addressing the convention, Sukh Ram said the decision to launch a new party was not prompted by his arrest following the CBI raids at his residence but the idea was in his mind for past few years when he saw that the Congress party in Himachal was deviating from its principles and ideals for which it was formed.
