Kullu, Mandi, Chamba among 4 districts withour ministerial representation currently
SHIMLA: With whispers of an impending cabinet reshuffle in Himachal Pradesh growing louder, political observers are watching closely to see if Shimla district, currently represented by three ministers, might lose one of its faces in the state council of ministers.
The speculation centres around Anirudh Singh, an MLA from Kasumpti and the Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj; Vikramaditya Singh, representing Shimla-Rural and holding the PWD portfolio; and Rohit Thakur, legislator from Jubbal-Kotkhai and the Education Minister. All the three are first-time ministers.
Insiders suggest that one among them may be asked to step down, not as a demotion but as part of a larger political adjustment.
Dropped minister may get another prominent role
The buzz is that the minister dropped from the cabinet could be appointed as the new Himachal Pradesh Congress president. The post is current held by Vikramaditya’s mother Pratibha Singh.
The aim appears to be to calm mounting pressure from Kangra, which despite having the most Assembly seats (15), is currently represented by only two ministers — Chander Kumar and Yadvinder Goma. Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba have no representation in the cabinet.
Closed-door meeting fuels speculation
Fuel was added to the fire after Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh flew by helicopter from Shimla to Una and met Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri at his residence in Haroli.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour and included a private lunch, has triggered a wave of political speculation.
Though Anirudh maintained it was a personal visit and Agnihotri refrained from commenting, the timing and nature of the meeting have raised eyebrows in political circles.
It’s being linked not only to the expected cabinet reshuffle but also to the potential appointment of a new Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief.
Reports suggest that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is keen on appointing Anirudh as the Congress president and had sent him as a personal emissary to secure Agnihotri’s consent.
Sunil Chadha
Other News
Government Cracks Down on Hoarding of Essential Commodities
First-person account: Dharamshala girl recounts how IPL match turned from super-excitement to panic exit
Indian oil firms assure of ample supplies amid Pakistan conflict, urge against panic-buying
Kangana Ranaut mocks Modi’s predecessors, calls him ‘full-time PM’, ‘no cry-baby’, ‘avatar’ after Operation Sindoor
Panic in Himachal as missile debris found on Kangra road, fell as India foiled Pakistan attack
