MANDI: The political landscape in Himachal Pradesh is stirring once again, this time after the removal of the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government’s six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) hai following an order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday (November 13, 2024).
With the post of Chief Parliamentary Secretary declared void, a fierce contest is anticipated among Congress MLAs to grab the lone vacant ministerial seat in the Sukhu cabinet. The decision rests solely on the Chief Minister, who faces the challenge of balancing political, regional and social dynamics in the appointment.
As per the 15 per cent formula, the Sukhu cabinet can have a maximum of 12 members, including the Chief Minister himself. At present, the cabinet consists of the chief minister and the chief minister and nine other ministers, leaving one slot vacant. Initially, Sukhu had kept three positions unfilled, two of which were later went to Rajesh Dharmani and Yadvinder Goma.
Balancing regional aspirations
One of the Chief Minister’s primary considerations is maintaining a regional balance, especially as various factions within his party strive for representation. With the CPS posts dissolved, political and regional representation has tilted, leaving areas like Kullu, Mandi and Kangra without adequate representation in the cabinet.
In Kullu, the situation is particularly pressing. The district, a prominent tourist hub, has been left without a ministry following the removal of Sunder Singh Thakur as the CPS. Local voices are calling for representation to ensure the district’s economic and developmental needs are addressed. The absence of Kullu’s representation in the cabinet could limit the region’s access to resources, raising valid concerns among constituents.
Mandi’s growing frustration
The Mandi district too faces a similar predicament. Congress’s only MLA from the region, Chander Shekhar, has been left out of any notable role, despite having defeated senior BJP leader Mohinder Singh Thakur’s son Rajat Thakur. This sidelining of Mandi has not gone unnoticed, particularly since Mandi is the home district of former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur. Failing to appoint a representative from this area may weaken Congress’s influence in the district, risking future support for the party in an area already dominated by the BJP.
Politically vital Kangra not getting due?
In Kangra, the political equations have shifted with the removal of CPS Kishori Lal and Ashish Butail. Now, Kangra, a district with 15 MLAs, has only two ministers, Chander Kumar and Yadvinder Goma. The imbalance in representation is fuelling competition among local leaders for the final ministerial position. Sanjay Ratan, a confidant of the Chief Minister, has emerged as a frontrunner. However, his appointment may spark further rivalries within the region.
If a female candidate is to be considered for the role, Chief Minister Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur, a first-time MLA from Dehra in Kangra, may come into contention, potentially sidelining the other aspirant, Anuradha Rana. This would add another layer of complexity to the Chief Minister’s decision as he seeks to manage both family connections and regional loyalty.
Seniority and loyalty dilemma
The former CPS members are also vying for recognition and feel their seniority entitles them to the ministerial position. Each of the six former CPS members shares a close rapport with Sukhu, intensifying the pressure to give due consideration to their political loyalty and service. This places Sukhu in a delicate position as he must weigh caste representation, regional dynamics, and legislative priorities to make an appointment that aligns with his broader governance goals and party unity.
With a single seat left, Chief Minister Sukhu is under scrutiny to appoint a candidate who can deliver on multiple fronts —addressing demands for representation from underrepresented regions, fostering party loyalty and satisfying the expectations of diverse social groups.
