Anurag Sharma Takes Charge as President of Kangra District Congress Committee

Anurag Sharma has been appointed as the president of the District Congress Committee in Kangra, a significant political district in Himachal Pradesh. With nearly three decades of experience in the Congress, Sharma aims to strengthen the party's grassroots organization and enhance communication among members. His extensive background in youth politics and adventure tourism positions him well to tackle upcoming political challenges. As he prepares to take charge, Sharma's leadership is expected to invigorate the party's efforts in the region, focusing on organizational consolidation and outreach initiatives.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 3, 2026, 15:58 IST

Strategic Leadership Appointment

Munish Sood
MANDI: The Congress party has appointed Anurag Sharma, a seasoned leader, as the president of the District Congress Committee (DCC) in Kangra. This decision aims to bolster the party's organizational strength in one of Himachal Pradesh's key political regions.

Experience and Background

The leadership's choice of Sharma is viewed as a tactical move, considering his nearly thirty years of experience within the Congress. His promotion is expected to invigorate grassroots workers and enhance coordination among various party units in the district.

Anurag Sharma, born on August 29, 1978, in Bir, Baijnath tehsil, completed his Mathematics degree from Himachal Pradesh University in 1999. His political involvement began early, influenced by student politics and organizational roles within the Congress.

Political Journey

Since 1995, Sharma has been an active member of the Congress in Baijnath. He gained prominence as a student leader during his college years, serving as the campus president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) at GGDSD College in 1998 and 1999. His leadership skills led him to become the NSUI state general secretary from 1998 to 2001.

Sharma continued to engage in youth and organizational politics, holding the position of District Youth Congress general secretary from 2002 to 2006, and later serving as the general secretary of the Block Congress Committee in Baijnath from 2007 to 2012.

Administrative Roles

His dedication to organizational work earned him the role of state secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee from 2015 to 2019. During this time, he also acted as a party observer for the Joginder Nagar Assembly constituency, focusing on enhancing booth-level coordination and outreach.

In addition to his political endeavors, Sharma has held significant government roles, including Director of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board from 2013 to 2017, and was involved in youth and sports services during that period. These experiences have provided him with valuable insights into policy implementation, particularly in youth engagement and tourism sectors.

Contributions to Adventure Tourism

Sharma is well-known for his involvement in adventure tourism, particularly paragliding, which has become synonymous with the Bir Billing area. He has been associated with the Billing Paragliding Association (BPA) for over a decade, serving as its Director from 2010 to 2020 and later as President from 2020 to 2025. Under his leadership, the association prioritized safety standards, professional training, and enhancing Bir Billing's international profile as a premier paragliding destination.

During his tenure, Bir Billing successfully hosted significant international events, including the Paragliding Pre-World Cup in 2013 and the Paragliding World Cup in 2015 and 2024. His collaboration with the state government and tourism authorities was instrumental in promoting adventure tourism and creating local job opportunities. He has also been proactive in launching digital platforms for paragliding information and advocating for a dedicated paragliding institute in the region.

Future Focus

As the new DCC president, Anurag Sharma is anticipated to concentrate on consolidating the party's organization, enhancing communication between leadership and members, and preparing the district unit for upcoming political challenges. Party leaders are optimistic that his blend of organizational and public-facing experience will help the Congress regain its footing in Kangra district.

Sharma is expected to formally take charge in the coming days, after which a series of organizational meetings and outreach initiatives are planned throughout the district.