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The process to fill one vacant berth in the Himachal Pradesh cabinet is expected to start after the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, where senior party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is the Congress contestant.
Jawalamukhi MLA Sanjay Rattan is one of the contenders, but Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur too can be in the contention if the Congress goes by the tradition of including a woman face in the government.
The Congress has time and again stressed giving more representation to women.
Sources in the Congress said Lahaul-Spiti MLA Anuradha Rana, the second woman legislator of the ruling party, too can by in the race. Both Anuradha and Kamlesh, a legislator from Dehra in Kangra, are first-time MLAs.
If either of the two women MLAs make it to the cabinet, Rattan could be considered for the chief whip’s role as more representation for the politically significant Kangra district was a must, said a Congress leader wishing not to be named.
Kamlesh, who won the recent byelection from Dehra, not only represents the largest district Kangra, but also brings a unique perspective as both a female MLA and the CM’s spouse, the leader said.
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is approaching the completion of its two-year tenure next month. Amidst growing anticipation, discussions around filling the vacant cabinet position have intensified, especially after a meeting between five ministers and CM Sukhu at the CM’s official Shimla residence Oakover.
The question remains whether this slot will go to a male MLA or one of the two women who recently won in the byelections.
High-level meeting sparks speculation
On Monday, just before CM Sukhu left for Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts, he held a significant discussion with five cabinet members about the vacant post.
This meeting, lasting over half an hour, has led to speculation that the slot may soon be filled. Additionally, senior Congress leaders are expected to be appointed to key roles in public sector enterprises.
The Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election has Congress leaders occupied with campaigning efforts, so board and corporation appointments are likely to follow its conclusion.
Analysts believe that the cabinet vacancy may go to a Congress MLA from one of the districts of Kangra, Mandi or Kullu.
Political gathering at minister’s residence
The private residence of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan in Khalini became a hub of political activity on Monday.
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, senior ministers Chander Kumar, Jagat Singh Negi and Rohit Thakur arrived early in the morning, joining Chauhan for tea before heading to Oakover for the meeting with CM Sukhu.
After a 30-minute session with the CM, they returned to Chauhan’s home for lunch together, further fuelling speculations about an imminent cabinet announcement.
Later, the ministers returned to their respective offices at the secretariat.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi downplayed the gathering, stating it was merely a lunch meeting.
Nevertheless, the event marked the first time since Diwali that Agnihotri, Chander Kumar, Chauhan, Negi and Rohit Thakur had all been in Shimla together, raising political anticipation in the capital.
