Himachal Congress Gears Up for New Leadership Amidst Reorganization

A significant organizational overhaul is underway in the Himachal Pradesh Congress, with key leaders being called to the national capital to meet with the party’s high command. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that the selection of a new state Congress president is imminent, expected within the coming ten days. This move follows the dissolution of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee’s state, district, and block units on November 6, 2024, by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leaving the party’s organizational structure largely dormant. The decision to expedite the appointment of new leadership comes amid growing calls from party cadres for the reconstitution of state units, especially with potential panchayat elections on the horizon, contingent on infrastructure recovery from recent natural disasters. Pratibha Singh’s tenure as the state chief officially ended in April 2025, intensifying the need for a new appointment. The summoned leaders include state ministers and MLAs such as Rohit Thakur, Vinay Kumar, Kuldeep Rathore, Ashish Butail, Vinod Sultanpuri, and Suresh Kumar. These meetings, orchestrated by Mallikarjun Kharge following a request from Rahul Gandhi, aim to foster a collaborative decision-making process. Chief Minister Sukhu has reportedly conveyed his recommendations, suggesting a preference for a Scheduled Caste candidate or consultation with the cabinet if a ministerial appointment is considered. He has clarified that he is not pushing for any particular individual. The party is also reportedly contemplating the appointment of three working presidents to balance regional and social representation within the state leadership, while adhering to its ‘one man, one post’ principle.