Old cabinet photo..used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, August 13
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Congress state president Vinay Kumar are scheduled to hold an important meeting with AICC organisation general secretary K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the proposed expansion and reshuffle of the state Council of Ministers.
The meeting assumes significance ahead of the monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, beginning August 21, with two ministerial positions and the post of Deputy Speaker lying vacant.
Party sources said Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur is being considered for induction into the Council of Ministers and his elevation has received approval at the high-command level. His induction is being viewed in the backdrop of the severe loss of life and property suffered by Kullu during the monsoon disasters, including the tragedy witnessed in the state in 2025.
Sources said the performance of the existing ministers is also likely to come up for discussion. Chief Minister Sukhu is understood to be considering changes involving two senior ministers, although no final decision has been announced. If a ministerial vacancy is created, the names of Jwalaji MLA Sanjay Rattan, Palampur MLA Ashish Butail and Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi are among those being discussed for induction.
The Deputy Speaker’s post has remained vacant for nearly ten months after Vinay Kumar resigned from the position before taking over as Pradesh Congress Committee president. In case no minister is dropped, party discussions may centre on appointing either Sanjay Rattan or Ashish Butail as Deputy Speaker.
A reshuffle of ministerial portfolios is also expected to figure in the Delhi deliberations. If approved by the high command, the changes and induction of new ministers could take place after August 15 and before the Assembly session.
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Meanwhile, Sukhu recently said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would visit a school she had visited earlier. The school, which was repaired by the state government, is expected to resume classes, giving the visit added political and public interest ahead of the Assembly session.
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