Congress set to appoint new Himachal chief soon, CM Sukhu may travel to Delhi for final talks

TNR News Network
Shimla: A leadership change in the Himachal Pradesh Congress is on the cards, with a new state president likely to be announced within days. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is likely to travel to Delhi on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) to hold the final round of discussions with the party’s central leadership.

Insiders say the high command is leaning towards choosing a leader from the Scheduled Caste community to head the state unit. Bhorranj MLA Suresh Kumar and Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri have emerged as strong contenders, while Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar remains in the running. There is also talk that Ayush and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma could be moved from the Cabinet to an organisational role.

The central leadership is expected to first finalise the state and district-level committees, leaving block appointments for a later stage. Sources said the name for the state president is “almost settled” and Sukhu’s trip to Delhi is primarily to seal the decision. His visit was initially slated for Monday but was delayed due to heavy rain in Shimla.

The move comes after earlier discussions reportedly focused on Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and former state chief Kuldeep Singh Rathore, a shortlist that drew objections from SC MLAs. Several of them met the party leadership in Delhi, insisting that their community, a key Congress vote base in the state, should get the post.

The state Congress has been led by an SC leader only three times before, including by Kuldeep Kumar and KD Sultanpuri. Political analysts believe that giving the role to an SC leader ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls could help the party consolidate its traditional support.