Hectic lobbying on for Himachal Pradesh Congress chief post

GAME ON Cong mulls change as Sukhu has completed his tenure

SHIMLA: Even as the party braces up for the Lok Sabha polls due next year, hectic lobbying has begun in the state for the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) chief with Congress high command eliciting opinion of state leaders over the appointment of a new state chief.

Aspirants have already begun backdoor lobbying for the post as the Congress high command is keen on changing its guard before the elections, say party sources. State party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who is considered close to All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi, has already completed his five-year term in office. A legislator from Naduan, Sukhu, had been largely credited with strengthening organisation in the state, however, after the party’s debacle in the last assembly elections voices for replacing him has gained momentum.

“Sukhu ji has worked a lot for the party. Changing party chief is prerogative of AICC president,” in-charge for party affairs in Himachal Rajni Patil said.

After the defeat in 2017 assembly elections, Congress had undertaken a review to analyse electoral reverses. Congress tally in the 68 member Vidhan Sabha came down to 21 seats. Majority of its leaders cited infighting in the party as the main reason for the defeat.

Virbhadra Singh has repeatedly asserted for removal of Sukhu ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

The party had lost all four— Mandi, Shimla, Kangra and Hamirpur seats in the last LS polls. Sources say there is a growing fear among the central leadership that discord between former CM Virbhadra and Sukhu could mar party prospects in the upcoming polls.

Rajya Sabha member Rajni Patil has been hectically touring the state after assuming the charge in May. Patil gathered feedback from party workers during her tour and is said to have apprised the party high command of the prevailing situation in the state.

Moreover, with an aim to strike a regional balance between the lower and upper Himachal regions. The party has appointed Mukesh Agnihotri, a three-time legislator from Una, as its leader in the Vidhan Sabha.

Names of the former HPCC general secretary Kuldeep Rathore and Shilai legislator Harshwardhan Chauhan have been doing rounds for the post.

Sources say, Rathore’s candidature is being backed by former Union minister and Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma. Party is also keen to strike a caste balance ahead of LS elections.

Former CM Virbhadra and Congress legislator party leader Mukesh Agnihotri have been backing Rathore.

Former minister Sudhir Sharma’s name was also doing rounds for the post, but he was recently appointed as the AICC secretary.