Munish Sood
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday confirmed that Kullu MLA and Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Sundar Singh Thakur will soon be inducted into the state Cabinet, signalling a major expansion and reshuffle of the council of ministers.
Talking to the media in Shimla today, Sukhu said Thakur would soon take oath as a Cabinet Minister and that the government was only awaiting the formal communication from the Congress high command. He said the swearing-in ceremony would be held once the approval from the party leadership in Delhi is received.
The Chief Minister’s statement has effectively confirmed the much-discussed elevation of Thakur, while also indicating that changes in the allocation of portfolios among existing ministers could accompany the Cabinet expansion.
Major Portfolio Reshuffle Expected
The Cabinet currently has one vacant berth, which is expected to be filled by Thakur. However, the exercise is likely to go beyond merely inducting a new minister, with a major reshuffle of portfolios among existing ministers also being considered.
The changes are expected to take into account both administrative requirements and the government’s political priorities. The final allocation of departments is likely to be decided after the Congress high command gives its formal approval.
Thakur’s Induction Significant for Kullu and Mandi Region
Sundar Singh Thakur, who has been elected from Kullu since 2017, is currently serving as Chief Parliamentary Secretary and has been associated with important departments including energy, tourism, forests and transport.
His elevation assumes significance as Kullu-Manali remains one of Himachal Pradesh’s most important tourism hubs and a key contributor to the state’s economy. His induction would also provide direct Cabinet representation to Kullu, a region that has long sought greater political weight in the state government.
The move could have wider political implications for the Mandi parliamentary constituency as well, where Kullu forms an important part of the political landscape.
Regional Representation Also a Factor
The proposed expansion comes amid discussions over regional representation in the Cabinet. Several major districts, including Kullu and Mandi, currently do not have direct representation in the Council of Ministers.
Thakur’s induction could therefore be projected as an attempt to address the regional imbalance while simultaneously strengthening the Congress government’s political presence in the Kullu-Manali belt.
High Command’s Formal Approval Awaited
While preparations for the expansion are understood to be underway, the final formal communication from the Congress high command is still awaited.
The Congress Political Affairs Committee meeting proposed to be held in Kasauli on August 16 and 17 has reportedly been affected by the ongoing Parliament session and other engagements. The delay has also kept the final schedule of the Cabinet expansion and reshuffle under wraps.
Once the high command’s formal approval reaches Shimla, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held at Raj Bhavan.
Sukhu’s confirmation during his interaction with the media in Shimla on Tuesday has, however, made it clear that Sundar Singh Thakur’s elevation is no longer merely a matter of speculation and that the Cabinet expansion is now awaiting the final formalities.
