Munish Sood
Mandi
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday dropped his strongest political signal yet on the long-awaited expansion of the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, virtually confirming that Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur is set to be inducted as a minister.
Addressing a public gathering at Mashobra after inaugurating the Block Development Office and laying the foundation stones of development projects worth nearly ₹48 crore in the Kasumpti Assembly constituency, Sukhu pointed towards Thakur, who was seated on the dais alongside Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, and told the audience, “He is our soon-to-be minister.”
The remark has set off fresh political buzz in the state, with many interpreting it as a clear indication that the Congress leadership has finally taken a call on filling the lone vacancy in the Cabinet.
The ministerial berth has remained vacant for months, fuelling intense lobbying and speculation within the ruling Congress. Political circles had largely narrowed the race to three legislators—Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, Jawalamukhi MLA Sanjeev Rattan and Palampur MLA Ashish Butail. While all three were considered strong contenders because of their political stature and proximity to the party leadership, the Chief Minister’s latest public endorsement appears to have decisively tilted the balance in favour of Thakur.
This is also the second time Sukhu has publicly backed the Kullu legislator for a Cabinet berth. During the Budget Session of the Assembly earlier this year, the Chief Minister had made a similar announcement while intervening in a heated exchange between Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and Sunder Singh Thakur, stating that the Kullu MLA would soon become a minister.
The renewed assertion has strengthened indications that the prolonged wait for the Cabinet expansion is nearing its conclusion. The Himachal Cabinet currently has one vacant berth, and the Chief Minister had earlier maintained that the post would be filled after consultations with the Congress high command.
A two-time MLA from Kullu and a former Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sunder Singh Thakur is regarded as one of Sukhu’s trusted political associates. His induction would also restore Cabinet-level representation to Kullu district, a demand that has gained traction within the party over the past several months.
With the Chief Minister making the announcement from a public platform, political attention has now shifted from who will be inducted to when the swearing-in ceremony will take place. Barring any last-minute political developments, Sukhu’s remarks have all but confirmed that Sunder Singh Thakur’s long-awaited elevation to the state Cabinet is now only a matter of time.
