Ending 15-month vacuum, Congress reconstitutes District units in Himachal; Block-level overhaul next
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Shimla, Jan 3,
After nearly one year and three months of organisational drift, the Indian National Congress has formally reactivated its district-level structure in Himachal Pradesh by appointing presidents of District Congress Committees (DCCs) across the state. The move is being seen as a long-awaited corrective step aimed at rebuilding grassroots coordination ahead of upcoming Panchayat elections.
The appointments were approved by the All India Congress Committee on December 27 after consultations with the state leadership. With this decision, district presidents have been named in 11 districts, bringing an end to a prolonged leadership vacuum that had weakened organisational coherence at the local level.
As per the official list, Champa Thakur has been appointed DCC president for Mandi, Anurag Sharma for Kangra, Suman Bharti Sharma for Hamirpur, Dorje Angrup for Lahaul and Spiti, Ses Ram Azad for Kullu, Surjeet Kumar Bharmouri for Chamba, Anand Parmar for Sirmaur, Subhash Chand Vermani for Solan, Inderjeet Singh for Shimla (Urban), Anjana Dhiman for Bilaspur and Deshraj Gautam for Una.
Party insiders said the process gained momentum after a series of internal meetings involving the Chief Minister, senior state leaders and central observers. Following these deliberations, panels of prospective candidates were sought from Himachal Pradesh, scrutinised by the central leadership and finalised after feedback from multiple levels of the organisation.
The delay in DCC appointments had been a recurring point of concern within the party, particularly among grassroots workers who felt the absence of district leadership had disrupted mobilisation, weakened feedback loops and diluted the party’s presence in rural belts. With district units now in place, the leadership expects smoother coordination between the organisation and the government, especially on outreach related to welfare delivery and rural governance.
The timing of the reconstitution is politically significant as Panchayat tenures in Himachal Pradesh are nearing completion, with elections expected early next year. Party strategists believe that district-level stability is critical to preparing the ground, shaping local narratives and countering organisational challenges at the village level.
Significantly, the district appointments are only the first phase of a wider organisational reset. Party sources confirmed that the Congress will now move swiftly to constitute block-level committees, a step considered crucial for reconnecting with voters at the grassroots and energising booth-level machinery. Further changes in the state party structure are also being discussed as the Congress braces for a demanding political and electoral calendar in the months ahead.
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.
