DHARAMSHALA (S Gopal Puri)
Starting January 16, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is set to revive the “winter sojourn” in Kangra district, a tradition that was a hallmark of the late Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh’s tenure but was discontinued during the BJP regime under Jai Ram Thakur from 2017 to 2022.
Virbhadra Singh, a six-time Chief Minister, had initiated the practice to strengthen ties with the public in Kangra, the state’s most politically significant district, which sends 15 legislators to the Assembly, the highest among all districts.
The BJP’s decision to forgo the tradition under Jai Ram Thakur proved costly, with the party securing victory in only three of Kangra’s 15 seats during the 2022 Assembly elections.
Political analysts believe the absence of the winter sojourn weakened BJP’s connection with the district, contributing to its poor electoral performance. Now, Sukhu’s decision to reinstate this tradition is seen as a calculated move to address Kangra’s grievances and counter the narrative of neglect.
Addressing Cabinet representation, public sentiments
Currently, only two ministers in Sukhu’s Cabinet hail from Kangra — Chander Kumar (Agriculture and Animal Husbandry) and Yadvinder Goma (Ayush, Youth Services, and Sports). By adopting Virbhadra Singh’s grassroots engagement strategy, Sukhu aims to mitigate dissatisfaction over underrepresentation and strengthen his government’s foothold in the state’s largest district.
The decision comes amid criticisms over the Congress government’s limited focus on Kangra as the “winter capital”. The recent four-day winter session of the Assembly at Tapovan in Dharamshala was comparatively shorter — and detractors alleged low public turnout, indicating waning popularity.
Additionally, unfulfilled promises, such as regular visits by ministers to the Secretariat in Dharamshala and the delay in disbursing a Rs 30 crore grant for the Central University, have added to the district’s discontent.
Sukhu’s itinerary and upcoming events
CM Sukhu is expected to travel directly from Delhi to Kangra on January 15 or 16 to commence his visit, which will extend until January 25. The Statehood Day celebrations on January 25 will be held at Baijnath in Kangra, with CM Sukhu presiding over the event.
“With Kangra holding immense political weight, Sukhu’s revival of the winter sojourn underscores his intent to rebuild trust, address local issues and counter the BJP’s influence in the region,” said an analyst.
