Decision likely before installation of Virbhadra statue in Shimla on October 13
TNR News Network
SHIMLA:
The announcement of the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president is expected anytime soon, with party sources indicating that the next leader would likely be a minister or MLA from the Shimla parliamentary constituency.
The decision, aimed at maintaining regional and caste balance within the state unit, follows high-level discussions in Delhi between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and senior Congress leadership.
CM Sukhu, who was summoned to Delhi on Sunday (October 5, 2025) evening, returned to Shimla on Monday after holding consultations with party in-charge Rajni Patil. Sources say the Chief Minister provided feedback on a shortlist of potential candidates.
Education Minister Rohit Thakur emerges front-runner
Among the strongest contenders for the post is Education Minister Rohit Thakur, who represents the influential Rajput community, the largest demographic group in Himachal Pradesh. Party insiders suggest that Thakur is willing to take on the responsibility and his name has received serious consideration from the party high command.
Another name under discussion is that of Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Vinay Kumar, who hails from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, the second-largest demographic in the state. Kumar met national Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently, a sign of his growing influence within the party.
Multiple names in fray as Congress weighs caste, region balance
Apart from Rohit Thakur and Vinay Kumar, former HPCC president and current Congress national spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore is also being considered. Rathore, a Rajput leader with considerable organisational experience, remains a viable choice.
Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi, a close confidant of CM Sukhu and a leader from the Brahmin community, is also in contention. Another name doing the rounds is that of young Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri, who belongs to the SC community and is seen as a representative of the Congress’s emerging youth leadership.
Party observers believe the final decision is likely to be announced before October 13, when the Congress plans to unveil a statue of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, an event of symbolic importance for the party. Following the announcement, the new HPCC chief is expected to oversee the formation of the state executive committee.
Amid growing speculation, a quiet but notable meeting between two ministers from the Shimla parliamentary constituency took place in the state secretariat on Monday. The discussion, reportedly centred around coordination between the government and the organisation, has only added fuel to the ongoing rumours about the imminent leadership change in the state Congress unit.
