The Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee is on the cusp of a major leadership change, with six prominent party figures summoned to Delhi for crucial discussions with the high command. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that a new state party president will be announced within the next ten days, signaling an end to the prolonged period of organizational inactivity. The state, district, and block units of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee have been largely non-operational since November 6, 2024, following their dissolution by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as part of a broader organizational restructuring. This delay has caused concern among party workers and leaders, particularly with upcoming panchayat elections looming, dependent on the restoration of road connectivity post-monsoon disasters. Pratibha Singh’s term as state president officially concluded in April 2025, leaving the leadership vacuum even more pronounced. Sources indicate that the leaders summoned to Delhi include Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar, and MLAs Kuldeep Rathore, Ashish Butail, Vinod Sultanpuri, and Suresh Kumar. The meetings, initiated by Mallikarjun Kharge at the suggestion of Rahul Gandhi, will involve both group and individual consultations to finalize the decision. Chief Minister Sukhu has reportedly advised the party leadership to prioritize a Scheduled Caste leader if one is considered for the post, or to consult the state cabinet if a sitting minister is being eyed for the role. He stressed that he has not proposed any specific name. The party is also navigating the ‘one man, one post’ policy and the potential appointment of three working presidents to ensure regional and caste representation within the reconstituted organization.
