‘Factionalism’ holds back announcement of new Himachal Congress executive body; CM Sukhu may take it up in Delhi

No formal party organisational structure in state for over five months

MANDI: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu returned to Delhi on Thursday (April 10, 2025) after attending the Congress national convention in Ahmedabad.

Several senior Congress leaders, including Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Pratibha Singh, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, cabinet ministers and other party leaders also reached the capital the same day.

According to sources, CM Sukhu is expected to hold crucial discussions on Friday with top leadership of the Congress regarding the long-pending reconstitution of the party’s state organisation.
He is likely to return to Shimla by Friday evening and may proceed to Hamirpur on April 12, followed by a visit to Pangi on April 15 for the Himachal Day celebrations.

Congress without organisational structure since November 2024

Despite holding power in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has been functioning without a formal state-level organisation for over five months.
The entire executive structure, from the state to the block level, was dissolved on November 6, 2024, by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. Since then, the party has been operating solely under the nominal leadership of PCC chief Pratibha Singh, with no supporting organisational framework in place.

The vacuum has paralysed ground-level activities across the state. Party offices remain largely inactive and grassroots workers are growing increasingly disheartened. The silence in the Shimla Congress headquarters is being interpreted as a symbol of the party’s current organisational inertia.

Repeated promises, no progress

Several AICC-appointed leaders have visited the state in recent months, each promising swift action but to no avail. On March 1, state in-charge Rajni Patil announced that the organisation would be reconstituted within 15 days.
Over a month later, that assurance remains unfulfilled. Prior to this, co-incharges Vidit Chaudhary and Chetan also made similar commitments during their December visit.
These repeated delays have further eroded the morale of party workers, with many expressing frustration over the leadership’s inability to translate words into action.

Factional divide hampering decisions

According to insider reports, the delay in forming the new executive is primarily due to internal factionalism within the state Congress.
CM Sukhu is reportedly keen on appointing members from his loyalist camp to key positions across the state, districts and block levels. On the other hand, the Holly Lodge faction led by Pratibha Singh is pushing for her supporters to be accommodated in prominent roles.

Adding to the complexity, observers sent by the high command in November and December last year have submitted independent recommendations. These observers emphasised rewarding long-serving, dedicated grassroots workers with organisational roles, further complicating the decision-making process for the AICC leadership.

Poll preparations lagging as BJP moves ahead

With the panchayati raj and urban local body elections scheduled for the end of 2025, the Congress’ delay in rebuilding its organisation could have serious political consequences. The BJP, meanwhile, has already kickstarted its preparations, giving it a potential edge on the ground.

Political analysts believe that unless the Congress leadership resolves internal disputes and revives the party’s organisational machinery swiftly, it risks losing momentum in the crucial run-up to local elections.

Munish Sood