HP Congress: No breakthrough in leadership talks, Cabinet reshuffle faces internal resistance
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Aug 5,
The stalemate over the appointment of a new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) President remains unresolved, with a crucial meeting of senior Congress leaders in New Delhi ending without consensus. The meeting, attended by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, and Himachal in-charge Rajni Patil, failed to break the deadlock, exposing widening fault lines within the party’s state unit.
Sources familiar with the developments revealed that incumbent HPCC Chief and MP Pratibha Singh has shown interest in continuing in the role, even as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu strongly advocates for Vinod Sultanpuri as the next party chief. Meanwhile, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri has proposed Vinay Kumar, a seasoned leader and three-time MLA from Shillai, for the top post.
The Congress high command has now tasked Rajni Patil with holding individual consultations with senior Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders to assess the mood within the state unit. Her findings will be presented to Kharge and Rahul Gandhi before any final decision is made regarding the leadership transition.
Party insiders suggest that the central leadership is also considering elevating a leader from the Scheduled Caste community to the HPCC post—an indication that Vinay Kumar’s candidacy may be gaining traction.
Adding to the party’s internal strain, discussions around an imminent cabinet reshuffle in Himachal Pradesh reportedly hit resistance. With two ministerial berths lying vacant, the leadership is keen on inducting fresh faces. However, several current ministers are reluctant to step down, stalling the reshuffle process.
Among other names floated for the HPCC role are Kuldeep Rathore and Ashish Butel, with Butel’s name emerging for the first time during these deliberations. Earlier contenders like Sanjay Awasthi and Anirudh Singh did not feature in the latest round of discussions.
Beyond leadership appointments, the Delhi meeting also focused on a broader organizational overhaul in the state unit. However, the central concern remains the growing factionalism within the Himachal Pradesh Congress, especially after the Rajya Sabha election setback earlier this year, when the party lost despite enjoying a numerical advantage due to cross-voting.
Ministers and party veterans are said to have urged the high command to intervene decisively to restore internal cohesion and revive public confidence in the state unit. The current leadership tussle and cabinet uncertainty risk further eroding the party’s standing ahead of crucial political battles.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
