Vinay Kumar steps into Dr Y.S. Parmar’s Renukaji legacy as he takes charge as State Congress Chief
Shimla, Nov 30,
The elevation of Vinay Kumar as the new President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee on Sunday carried powerful historical and emotional significance for the state’s political landscape. Kumar, the MLA from Shri Renukaji, now holds the same constituency once represented by Himachal’s architect and first Chief Minister, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar. After returning to state politics from Parliament, Dr Parmar contested and won the 1967 Assembly elections from Renuka and represented the seat until 1977 — making Vinay Kumar his first successor from this segment to hold the Pradesh Congress presidency in nearly 50 years.
Addressing an impressive gathering at Rajiv Bhawan before formally assuming charge, Vinay Kumar said that the Congress organisation in Himachal would “soon be visible in a new form.” He promised greater roles for senior leaders, energetic young workers and women, and a renewed focus on strengthening the party down to the booth level. “After 50 years, Sirmaur district has again received the honour of leading the Pradesh Congress. Before me, this honour belonged to Dr Y.S. Parmar,” he said, expressing gratitude to the central leadership — Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and Rajni Patil — as well as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, and outgoing PCC Chief Pratibha Singh.
Kumar recalled that his father, the late Prem Singh, had represented Shri Renukaji six times, and said he considered public service a family legacy. “I have learnt a great deal from former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and our senior leaders sitting here. I will act as a bridge between the government, the organisation and the people,” he said, assuring that the PCC executive, along with district and block committees, would be constituted soon.
Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhu praised outgoing president Pratibha Singh’s three-year tenure and said the high command had carefully selected Vinay Kumar from a panel of six names. “We expect him to further strengthen the organisation with his new team,” he said, adding that the party would present its vision for the 2027 elections at a major rally in Mandi on December 11.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri highlighted the ideological foundation laid by Dr Parmar, Thakur Ramlal and Virbhadra Singh, saying that Sirmaur had given the Congress a strong legacy and that the baton had now passed to Vinay Kumar. Outgoing president Pratibha Singh urged the new chief to empower women and youth in the organisation and prepare early for upcoming Municipal and Panchayati Raj elections.
AICC in-charge Rajni Patil said Himachal had received “a young and energetic president” and called for full cooperation to strengthen the party further.
The ceremony concluded with Pratibha Singh formally seating Vinay Kumar in the PCC President’s chair in the presence of senior leaders, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the state Congress — one closely tied to the legacy of Dr Y.S. Parmar and the political soil of Renukaji.
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.
