One state president, three working presidents likely to be appointed
TNR News Network
Shimla:
The Congress high command has called six senior leaders from Himachal Pradesh, including Education Minister Rohit Thakur and former state party chief and national spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Rathore, to New Delhi for crucial discussions regarding the party’s new state leadership.
After consultations with these leaders, the top leadership is expected to announce the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president soon.
According to party sources, the Congress plans to appoint one state president and three working presidents to strengthen the organisation ahead of the upcoming panchayat elections and the 2027 Assembly polls.
Meeting with Kharge, Rahul Gandhi
The leaders have been summoned to the national capital to finalise the leadership structure, with a key meeting scheduled for Friday (November 7). Senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are likely to preside over the deliberations.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, speaking to reporters at the State Secretariat, said the party organisation would have a new president within 10 days. “The wait is almost over. The organisation will soon get its new leadership,” he said.
Sources said the high command has already sought feedback from the Chief Minister regarding several contenders. Both Rohit Thakur and Kuldeep Singh Rathore, who belong to the Rajput community, are among the frontrunners for the top post.
2 SC leaders also in fray
The high command has also considered the names of Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar (Renuka) and MLA Vinod Sultanpuri (Kasauli), both from the Scheduled Caste community.
Discussions have also been held on appointing Suresh Kumar (Bhoranj) and Ashish Butail (Palampur) as working presidents. Suresh Kumar also represents the Scheduled Caste community.
On Thursday, Minister Rohit Thakur, who was in Shimla during the day, left for Delhi in the evening following the summons, while Rathore cut short his engagements in Theog to join the consultations.
Party insiders say the leadership selection process has taken time as the high command seeks to balance regional, caste and community representation in view of the upcoming electoral challenges. The state Congress organisation has been without a formal president for nearly a year, and the new appointments are expected to revitalise the party’s structure in Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhu may also travel to Delhi in the coming days to share his final feedback on the potential candidates before the official announcement.
