Factional Struggles Delay Shimla-Rural Congress Leadership Appointment

Internal Conflicts Stall Leadership Decisions

Shimla

Factional disputes within the Himachal Pradesh Congress party have hindered the selection of a new president for the Shimla-Rural district, despite the high command having appointed leaders in 11 other districts. The appointment process is similarly stalled in Kinnaur.

With a significant number of candidates vying for the position and various factions exerting influence, party leadership is finding it challenging to reach a consensus before finalizing decisions for these two districts.

In Shimla-Rural alone, there are over 20 candidates, while Kinnaur has four, complicating the consensus-building process. Many of the aspirants are aligned with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while others are associated with the powerful Holly Lodge faction, and some have direct connections to senior leaders in Delhi, including Rahul Gandhi. This intricate network of allegiances has transformed the selection process into a complex political challenge.

Sources indicate that the delay is primarily due to the strong claims from leaders like Deepak Rathore and former Youth Congress leader Nigam Bhandari, whose influence in Delhi has made the high command cautious about making a hasty decision. Consequently, Shimla-Rural has become a focal point of contention in the ongoing organizational restructuring.

The competition for the Shimla-Rural position has reached a pivotal moment, with four notable candidates emerging:

Deepak Rathore, representing the Theog Assembly segment, is viewed as a formidable candidate due to his longstanding association with Rahul Gandhi’s team and his involvement with the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj organization. He previously received the Congress ticket in 2017 despite opposition from the Holly Lodge faction, highlighting his standing with the high command. Insiders suggest that his candidacy is a significant reason for the delay in the announcement.

Rupesh Kanwar, from the Kumarsain region, is regarded as a close ally of former state Congress president Pratibha Singh, who has actively endorsed his nomination.

Sudhir Azad, a two-time councillor from Shimla, is known to have a close relationship with Chief Minister Sukhu and has collaborated with him in the Youth Congress. Reports indicate that the Chief Minister has strongly advocated for Azad’s candidacy.

Yashpal Tanaik, an SC leader from the Choupal Assembly constituency, is also emerging as a serious contender. Sources reveal that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and state party chief Vinay Kumar have expressed support for his nomination.

Kinnaur Faces Similar Challenges

The situation in Kinnaur is equally intricate. According to party insiders, a direct rivalry has developed between state minister Jagat Singh Negi and former state Youth Congress president Nigam Bhandari. While Negi has proposed the names of Umesh Negi, Prem Kumar, and Nirmal Chand, Bhandari is also considered a strong candidate.

However, Bhandari currently serves as a national secretary of the Youth Congress and oversees the Karnataka Youth Congress. In light of this, he has suggested Ram Singh Negi’s name as well. Sources indicate that Minister Jagat Negi is reluctant to accept either suggestion, placing the high command in a difficult position.