Sukhu’s Power Game: Who’s Loud, Who’s Quiet in Political Arena?

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Shimla (S Gopal Puri)

In Himachal Pradesh’s Congress-led government, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu finds himself supported by a mix of vocal defenders and silent allies. While a few MLAs have emerged as ardent champions of his leadership, others seem to have taken a backseat, raising questions about the party’s cohesion in the face of BJP’s aggressive opposition.

The Vocal Defenders: Leading the Charge

MLAs Suresh Kumar (Bhoranj) and Sanjay Awasthi (Arki) stand out as the most vocal supporters of Sukhu. During the recent winter assembly session, Suresh Kumar actively defended the Chief Minister against BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma’s sharp attacks, demonstrating unwavering loyalty. Similarly, Sanjay Awasthi countered BJP MLA Randhir Sharma’s criticisms of the government’s excise policy with precision and assertiveness.

On Thursday, the Department of Public Relations issued a press release in Awasthi’s name, highlighting the Sukhu-led government’s achievements in creating government jobs. Such proactive gestures have solidified their reputation as the Chief Minister’s staunchest defenders in the public and political domains.

The Silent Partners: Missing in Action?

While some leaders take the spotlight, others remain conspicuously absent from broader political debates. MLAs like Bhuvneshwar Gaur, Rakesh Kalia, Vivek Sharma, Ajay Solanki, Capt Ranjeet, Anuradha Rana, and Vinod Sultanpuri, despite being beneficiaries of Sukhu’s political backing, have kept a low profile outside their constituencies.

Their reluctance to engage at the state or district level in support of Sukhu has drawn attention, raising concerns about their commitment to bolstering the party’s collective image and defending its policies.

Advisors at Work: Uneven Efforts

Among Sukhu’s close advisors, efforts to manage the government’s image and counter criticism have been uneven. Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan has actively maintained media relations and sought to uphold the government’s reputation. In contrast, Political Advisor Sunil Sharma (Bittu) has largely remained behind the scenes, seldom addressing controversies or mounting public defenses of the Chief Minister.

Ministers’ Silence: Goma’s Quiet Approach

Even within the cabinet, silence persists. Yadwinder Goma, who owes his ministerial elevation to Sukhu, has yet to make a strong public statement or address the controversies surrounding the government. His reticence has been particularly striking given his prominent role.

A Lone Crusader: RS Bali

Amid this mixed engagement, RS Bali stands out as a lone crusader for the government. The son of Congress stalwart GS Bali, he has taken a robust approach to defending the administration. Bali has conducted fact-driven press conferences in Shimla and Dharamshala, taking the fight to the BJP with evidence-backed arguments.

During legislative assembly session, Bali presented documentary evidence to refute BJP allegations about HPTDC hotels, marking him effective defender of the ruling party.

A Divided Front? The Challenge Ahead

While vocal defenders like Suresh Kumar, Sanjay Awasthi, and RS Bali strengthen Sukhu’s position, the silence and inconsistent engagement of other allies pose challenges. The uneven participation risks creating a perception of a divided front, which could undermine the party’s ability to counter BJP’s aggressive narrative effectively.

As the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh continues to shift, Sukhu’s leadership will depend on rallying his inner circle to present a united and proactive defense. A cohesive and vocal team could prove crucial in sustaining the Congress’s momentum and countering opposition attacks.

S Gopal Puri

S Gopal Puri

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