After Himachal cabinet expansion, lobbying starts among Congress MLAs for these 3 crucial posts in Assembly
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The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: Following Tuesday’s (December 12, 2023) cabinet expansion in Himachal Pradesh, political manoeuvering and lobbying have started for key positions within the Assembly.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is poised to appoint three MLAs as deputy speaker, chief whip and deputy chief whip ahead of the upcoming winter session starting in Dharamshala on December 19.
Chandrashekhar, the lone Congress MLA from Mandi district, is widely expected to secure a cabinet rank post. Other MLAs such as Sanjay Ratan, Kuldeep Rathore, Vinay Kumar, Bhawani Singh Pathania and Ravi Thakur are also being considered for these positions. The post of deputy speaker, vacant for over a year, has gained renewed attention after the recent cabinet expansion.
Speculations had initially surfaced regarding the appointment of Kuldeep Rathore to the position of deputy speaker after Kuldeep Pathania assumed the role of Speaker following the government’s formation. However, the position remained unfilled. Similarly, the roles of chief whip and deputy chief whip, both holding cabinet status, have yet to be occupied.
With the recent cabinet expansion, aspirants for these significant roles are actively engaging in political lobbying, intensifying efforts to secure key positions within the Assembly.
Furthermore, there is speculation of the possibility of making Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Pathania a minister after the budget session. Pathania could potentially fill a ministerial vacancy arising after a cabinet member is made to contest the Lok Sabha elections. This speculation gained traction during the swearing-in ceremony of new ministers at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday, hinting at potential changes in the state’s political landscape.
