Shimla, Feb 15,
With the appointment of Rajni Patil as the new AICC Himachal state in-charge, the spotlight will now be on her ability to rebuild the Congress’s grassroots organization in Himachal Pradesh—a task that has remained unaddressed since the party suspended its state unit last year in an effort to revamp its structure. The absence of a functional organizational setup has left the party in disarray, frustrating leaders and workers alike.
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Despite being in power, the Congress in Himachal Pradesh has struggled with internal disunity and a lack of direction, with key block and district committees remaining non-functional. Senior leaders, including state Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, have openly criticized the AICC’s failure to act, describing the state unit as “lying defunct” and “paralyzed.” Kumar’s remarks highlight the pressing need for Patil to reconstitute grassroots bodies that form the backbone of the party’s presence in the State.
The party’s troubles began in the aftermath of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Congress suffered a severe blow. Following this, the dissolution of all state party bodies, including the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), left a leadership vacuum. While Pratibha Singh has been retained as the interim state president, she lacks the authority to appoint block and district leaders, further exacerbating the organizational crisis.
Adding to the challenge is the defection of six Congress MLAs during the Rajya Sabha elections in February 2024, which led to the defeat of Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the party’s candidate. This defection exposed the fragile state of Congress’s internal structure and the urgent need for a strong and united leadership under Patil’s guidance.
The delay in reconstituting the party’s state unit has not only affected internal cohesion but also raised concerns about Congress’s ability to govern effectively. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu may have been pushing for a State president of his choice, but the high command has remained indecisive. Patil’s challenge will be to strike a balance between accommodating state leadership preferences and ensuring an effective restructuring that can re-energize the party from the grassroots level.
The road ahead for Rajni Patil is far from easy. Her immediate priority will be to restore the party’s functional structure at the block and district levels, reviving the grassroots network that has been missing for over a year. She will also need to address growing frustration among leaders and workers who have been left without clear directives. While Pratibha Singh has assured party workers that she will press the high command to expedite the process, the onus now lies on Patil to deliver results.
Pertinent to mention that Patil’s ability to revive the organization will determine whether the party can present a strong front in future electoral battles or continue its downward spiral due to internal instability and leadership inertia. With expectations running high, her success—or failure—could shape the Congress’s political fortunes in the State for years to come.
