TNR News Network
New Delhi/Shimla: A flurry of meetings in the national capital between senior Congress leaders from Himachal Pradesh and the party high command has once again ignited political speculation over the long-pending formation of the state Congress committee.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh held separate high-level discussions in Delhi, demanding an early announcement of the new Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and a full organisational structure.
Sukhu’s picks face resistance within party
Sources said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is keen on having a PCC chief of his choice. He has reportedly proposed the names of legislators Sanjay Awasthi, Suresh Kumar and Vinod Sultanpuri. However, all three names have met resistance from the Holly Lodge (Vikramaditya’s residence goes by the name) faction, which fears being sidelined if both the CM and the PCC chief belong to the same camp.
In case consensus remains elusive, CM Sukhu is also said to have floated the name of Cabinet Minister Anirudh Singh, who is reportedly willing to take on dual roles — provided he is not asked to resign as minister.
Vikramaditya’s supporters rally for his elevation
Meanwhile, buzz around Vikramaditya Singh’s potential elevation to the PCC president post has gained momentum. Currently, his mother Pratibha Singh is the Congress state president. His supporters have launched a social media campaign pushing for his appointment, arguing that Singh is best placed to lead the party into the 2027 Assembly elections.
A pro-Vikramaditya post appeared recently on a Facebook page titled “Pratibha Singh PCC president”, endorsing him as the rightful heir to the Congress legacy in Himachal and calling for the leadership baton to return to the Holly Lodge camp.
During his Delhi visit, Deputy CM Agnihotri reportedly held extended talks with Priyanka Gandhi and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal while Vikramaditya Singh is said to have met Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Venugopal.
Apart from political matters, Vikramaditya also invited them to attend the June 23 function in Shimla to commemorate the birth anniversary of his father and former CM Virbhadra Singh. The timing of these meetings has raised hopes that a decision on the new PCC president and organisational setup could be announced soon.
Himachal Congress organisation in limbo since November 2025
The PCC and other Congress units in Himachal were dissolved on November 6 last year by party’s national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Since then, the absence of a formal organisation has stifled party functioning and left workers demoralised.
