Political Tensions Rise in Himachal Pradesh as Congress Leaders Meet

Political Maneuvering in Himachal Pradesh
New Delhi/Shimla: A series of meetings in the capital involving senior Congress figures from Himachal Pradesh has reignited discussions regarding the long-awaited establishment of the state Congress committee.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh engaged in high-level talks in Delhi, urging for a prompt announcement regarding the new Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president and a complete organizational framework.
Internal Conflicts Over Leadership Choices
According to sources, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is eager to appoint a PCC chief aligned with his vision. He has suggested the names of legislators Sanjay Awasthi, Suresh Kumar, and Vinod Sultanpuri. However, these nominations have faced pushback from the Holly Lodge faction, led by Vikramaditya, who fears marginalization if both the CM and the PCC leader hail from the same group.
Should a consensus remain out of reach, CM Sukhu has also mentioned Cabinet Minister Anirudh Singh as a potential candidate, who is reportedly open to taking on dual responsibilities, provided he is not required to resign from his ministerial position.
Support for Vikramaditya Singh's Candidacy
Meanwhile, the conversation surrounding Vikramaditya Singh's possible rise to the PCC presidency is gaining traction. His mother, Pratibha Singh, currently holds the position of Congress state president. Supporters have initiated a social media campaign advocating for his leadership, asserting that he is well-positioned to guide the party into the 2027 Assembly elections.
A recent pro-Vikramaditya post surfaced on a Facebook page named “Pratibha Singh PCC president,” promoting him as the rightful successor to the Congress legacy in Himachal and calling for the leadership to revert to the Holly Lodge faction.
During his visit to Delhi, Deputy CM Agnihotri reportedly had extensive discussions with Priyanka Gandhi and Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, while Vikramaditya Singh met with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Venugopal.
In addition to political discussions, Vikramaditya extended invitations to them for a June 23 event in Shimla commemorating the birth anniversary of his father and former CM Virbhadra Singh. The timing of these meetings has sparked optimism that an announcement regarding the new PCC president and organizational structure may be forthcoming.
Congress Organization in Disarray Since November 2022
The PCC and other Congress units in Himachal were disbanded on November 6 last year by the party's national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Since that time, the lack of a formal organization has hindered party operations and left its members feeling demoralized.