Vinay Kumar resigns as Deputy Speaker, likely to take over as Himachal Congress chief
Shimla, Nov 22,
In a major organisational development within the Himachal Pradesh Congress, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar on Friday tendered his resignation from the post, which has been formally accepted. The move has triggered strong political signals that the three-time MLA from Shri Renukaji is now poised to take over as the next President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) — a possibility that has been under active consideration by the party high command for weeks.
According to information, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has already held multiple rounds of consultations to finalise the new PCC chief. Highly placed sources indicate that Vinay Kumar’s name has received “near-total backing” within the leadership, with both Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri reportedly concurring with the choice. His resignation today is being read as the clearest indication yet that the announcement could be imminent.
Party insiders say the Congress high command has been seeking a leader who can stabilise the state unit after months of factional turbulence. Vinay Kumar — a senior Dalit face, three-time legislator, former CPS, and ex-working president of the state Congress — fits multiple criteria the party is looking at: caste equation balancing, a clean reputation, prior organisational experience, and acceptability across warring camps. His political journey also carries the legacy of his father, former MLA Prem Singh, who represented the same constituency for several terms.
Sources within the organisation note that Himachal Pradesh Congress has been functioning without a full organisational structure for over ten months, with PCC, district and block units dissolved earlier this year. “The absence of a working state unit has widened internal fault-lines. The high command wants a president who can unify the organisation, and Vinay Kumar has emerged as the consensus candidate,” a senior leader said.
Although Vinay Kumar had recently stated that he was “not in the race,” he had also added that he would accept any responsibility the party assigns. With his resignation now accepted and the Deputy Speaker’s seat falling vacant, the move is widely perceived as groundwork to prepare him for a larger organisational role.
His possible elevation may also have broader political implications, as the Congress prepares for the upcoming Panchayat polls and begins positioning itself for the 2027 Assembly elections. The party’s internal assessment reportedly favours a leadership face capable of bridging the gap between supporters of late former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and the current dispensation — a balance that Vinay Kumar is believed to naturally offer.
With the decks now cleared, the official announcement of the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee chief is expected soon, say sources.
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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.
