MANDI: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is set to embark on a high-stakes visit to New Delhi on May 22, a tour that blends economic advocacy with critical political manoeuvring.
While the stated purpose is to push for increased financial support from the Centre, sources within the party say that Sukhu will also use this opportunity to influence the selection of the next Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, a development that could reshape the internal dynamics of the state Congress.
During his four-day visit, Sukhu has a packed schedule. On May 23, he will meet the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr Arvind Panagariya, where he is expected to seek an upward revision in the revenue deficit grant allocated to the state. Himachal, being a hill state with limited resources and high infrastructure costs, has been lobbying for a more generous fiscal package.
The following day, May 24, the Chief Minister will participate in the NITI Aayog meeting and is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Among the key issues to be discussed are raising the state’s annual borrowing limit, securing a greater share in central taxes and imposing a ban on apple imports from Türkiye, a major demand of Himachal’s orchardists, who have been severely hit by falling market prices due to foreign competition.
Political underpinnings: Race for next Congress chief
While economic matters dominate the official itinerary, the political implications of the visit are equally significant. The post of Himachal Pradesh Congress president is currently vacant following the end of Pratibha Singh’s term and the party high command is in the process of finalising her successor.
The decision has sparked internal debates within the party, especially after both Pratibha Singh and her son, Vikramaditya Singh, a cabinet minister and scion of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s legacy, issued separate public statements on the need for experienced and popular leadership.
Sources say that Sukhu, who has been consolidating power since taking office, is keen that the next PCC chief be someone aligned with his leadership, preferably a loyalist who would not challenge his authority.
The Chief Minister is reportedly wary of parallel power centres emerging within the party, especially from the influential Virbhadra Singh camp. His quiet but firm efforts in Delhi are aimed at persuading the Congress high command to install a state unit president who would help him maintain unified control over party and government.
Initially, the Congress leadership in Delhi had called Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and other cabinet ministers to the capital for consultations. However, with the “Jai Hind Sabha”, a major party event scheduled for May 30 in Shimla, their visit has likely been postponed.
The timing of Sukhu’s visit, coming just days before major party appointments are finalised, has led to widespread political speculation. With factionalism once again threatening to divide the Himachal unit, the Chief Minister’s lobbying efforts in Delhi could determine not only the future PCC chief but also the long-term trajectory of the Congress party in the state.
Munish Sood
