Seen acceptable to all factions, ensured 4-0 drubbing to ruling BJP in bypolls
Sourabh Sood
KANGRA:
The suspense over the leadership of the Himachal Pradesh Congress appears to be nearing an end. Reliable party sources have indicated that the Congress high command is set to reappoint Kuldeep Singh Rathore as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC). The official announcement is expected soon, with the decision reportedly receiving a green signal from the top leadership in Delhi.
According to insiders, AICC in-charge Rajni Patil has strongly backed Rathore’s name, citing his ability to maintain unity within the party and his proven organisational skills. Party leaders see the move as a signal from the high command that it values performance and organisational discipline over factional politics.
Experience, clean image, acceptability across factions
Rathore’s earlier tenure as state president is widely remembered for the Congress’ strong performance in the 2021 byelections, when the party won the Mandi Lok Sabha seat and three Assembly constituencies, defeating the then ruling BJP 4-0.
His leadership during that period is credited with paving the way for the Congress’s eventual return to power in the 2022 Assembly polls.
Though several names were in contention, including of Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Vinay Kumar and Vinod Sultanpuri, the high command is understood to have leaned towards Rathore for his experience, clean image and acceptability across factions.
The decision also aims to balance equations between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s camp and that of current state president Pratibha Singh, the widow of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Rathore is seen as a consensus figure capable of bridging divides within the party.
The Congress central leadership recently appointed 12 senior observers from other states to oversee the selection of district presidents in Himachal, a move that many see as an effort to ensure harmony between the government and the organisation.
Rahul Gandhi gives ‘go-ahead’ to appointment
Once formally reinstated, Rathore’s first challenge will be to restructure the state executive committee and prepare the organisation for the upcoming panchayati raj elections. Party sources suggest that he plans to appoint four working presidents to ensure regional and social balance, thereby strengthening the Congress’ base across Himachal.
With “Mission 2027” already on the horizon, Rathore will have to focus on energising grassroots workers, managing internal factions and maintaining coordination with the government. According to sources, Rahul Gandhi, after receiving feedback from Rajni Patil, has reportedly given his nod to Rathore’s name, signalling consensus at the highest level.
If confirmed, this will mark Kuldeep Singh Rathore’s second term as Himachal Pradesh Congress chief, a comeback that underscores both his organisational credibility and his ability to navigate the state’s complex political terrain.
Sourabh Sood
