BJP consolidates ground as Congress delay exposes deepening infighting
Sunil Chadha
Shimla: Nine months after the Congress high command disbanded its organisational structure in Himachal Pradesh, the party is yet to appoint a new state president or form district and block-level committees — a delay that has exposed internal rifts and frustrated party workers.
The delay is particularly striking given that top Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had campaigned extensively during the Himachal Assembly elections and played a key role in appointing Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as Chief Minister for the first time. Priyanka Gandhi owns a house in Shimla, where she, Rahul and their mother Sonia Gandhi, a former Congress president, frequently visit for holidays.
While multiple meetings have been held in Delhi to address the crisis, the party leadership appears to be paralysed, unable to finalise a new team due to factionalism and reluctance from ministers to relinquish power for organisational roles.
In contrast, the BJP has reappointed Dr Rajeev Bindal as its state president and launched a series of political campaigns, asserting its dominance as the Congress government continues to struggle with both governance and party management.
Congress unit in limbo, high command silent
The Congress state unit was formally disbanded in November 2024, and nine months later, no replacement structure exists. Pratibha Singh remains the only office-bearer, while party workers operate in a vacuum with no official channel of coordination or leadership.
Despite several meetings in New Delhi, including one chaired by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Rajni Patil (state in-charge), CM Sukhvinder Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, the deadlock continues.
Party insiders say the delay stems from a power tussle between the CM’s camp and Pratibha Singh’s faction, as well as the unwillingness of key contenders to trade their ministerial berths for organisational roles. Several names, including ministers Rohit Thakur, Anirudh Singh and Harshwardhan Singh, MLAs Ashish Butail, Vinay Kumar and Vinod Sultanpuri, have been floated for the post of state Congress chief, but no consensus has been reached.
Rajni Patil deflects, BJP hits back
Facing tough questions from the media about the prolonged delay at an event in Shimla recently, Rajni Patil, Congress’ in-charge for Himachal Pradesh, attempted to deflect criticism by pointing to the BJP. “I was appointed only six months ago. Ask the BJP when JP Nadda will be removed — his term is also over,” she said.
Her comment drew a sharp rebuttal from the BJP, with party spokesperson Rakesh Jamwal accusing her of dodging accountability. “Dragging JP Nadda’s name is nothing but a distraction. The BJP has already appointed Dr Rajeev Bindal as president and announced a new executive committee,” Jamwal said. He blamed Congress’ internal conflicts for the continued disarray.
“The Congress high command’s helplessness is not because of BJP pressure, but because of its own infighting and lobbying,” he alleged.
How can Congress run India if it can’t fix Himachal?
“With just 68 Assembly seats and four Lok Sabha constituencies, Himachal Pradesh is a relatively small state. Yet the Congress’ inability to appoint a new party chief or reconstitute basic committees raises serious questions about its national leadership capacity. The people too need a second party (apart from the BJP) to keep the democracy alive,” said an analyst.
A senior Congress functionary from the state remarked, “If the party can’t get its act together in a small hill state, what message does it send for 2029 at the Centre? We look unprepared and divided.”
While the ruling Congress battles inertia, the BJP has seized the momentum. Dr Rajeev Bindal, backed by leaders like Jai Ram Thakur, Anurag Thakur and Bikram Thakur, has led an aggressive campaign against the Sukhu government — from targeting its revival of the lottery system to flagging alleged lapses in flood relief.
The party recently organised a statewide Tiranga Yatra to celebrate Operation Sindoor, aligning nationalism with regional engagement. Analysts say the BJP’s coherence and visibility sharply contrast the Congress’ current disarray.
Panchayati raj elections loom, but Congress unprepared
With panchayati raj and urban local body elections approaching, the Congress has little time left to rebuild its organisation. Yet the current stalemate, driven by ego clashes, factional lobbying, and lack of accountability, continues to paralyse decision-making.
Meanwhile, the BJP is already eyeing a return to power in 2027, with boots on the ground and a rejuvenated organisational structure. As one political observer put it: “The Congress in Himachal is not just facing a leadership crisis — it’s staring at an existential one.”
