SHIMLA: Discontent has emerged within the Himachal Pradesh Congress party, with a significant number of workers from Kullu expressing strong resentment over the prolonged delay in inducting local MLA Sunder Singh Thakur into the state Cabinet. Reports indicate that over 200 workers from block and mandal-level units in Kullu have threatened mass resignations if their demand for Thakur’s inclusion is not met.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, these workers voiced their displeasure during a meeting held at the circuit house in Kullu. Sunder Singh Thakur was reportedly present at this meeting, where discussions revolved around the protracted delay in the cabinet expansion and the possibility of submitting collective resignations.
The Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, had previously indicated that Thakur would be inducted into the Cabinet. However, a recent remark by the Chief Minister, suggesting that Thakur would become a minister when his ‘stars favoured him,’ has reportedly caused significant upset among a section of party workers. This statement has also drawn criticism from the opposition, with Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur sarcastically urging Sunder Singh Thakur at a rally not to accept a Cabinet berth if it compromised his dignity.
Sunder Singh Thakur was among the six MLAs who were appointed as chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) prior to the cabinet expansion on January 8, 2023. However, these appointments were later quashed by the high court. Following this, Thakur emerged as a frontrunner for the single vacant ministerial berth in the state Cabinet.
Adding to the growing unrest, a poster featuring Sunder Singh Thakur has gained traction on social media platforms. The poster carries the message, “For self-respect and for the development of Kullu, I can do anything.” The Sukhu-led government is nearing the completion of its four-year term on December 11, 2026, with the next Assembly elections anticipated in November 2027.
The issue has underscored deeper concerns within the party regarding the representation of districts in the state Cabinet. Sunder Singh Thakur himself has emphasized that the matter is not about personal ambition but about the dignity and self-respect of Kullu and its people. He noted that the district has historically been represented in the state Cabinet since the tenure of Himachal Pradesh’s first Chief Minister, Yashwant Singh Parmar, and that Kullu’s identity warrants government representation.
Reports suggest that the delay in the cabinet expansion has become a source of embarrassment for the state leadership. While Thakur has dismissed speculation about leaving the Congress, he has acknowledged the sentiment among his supporters and indicated that party workers would decide the future course of action. The situation highlights a broader challenge for the Congress leadership in Himachal Pradesh, which is navigating internal factionalism and striving to maintain cohesion ahead of the upcoming elections. The party faces the intricate task of balancing regional representation, seniority, and political interests within its ranks.
The discontent within the Congress in Kullu is indicative of a larger trend of dissatisfaction among grassroots workers who feel overlooked. This sentiment has been echoed by other party leaders who have raised concerns about appointments and the party’s internal dynamics. The delay in filling the lone vacant ministerial berth, coupled with the internal dissent, could pose a challenge to the ruling party’s stability and electoral prospects in the state.
The Chenab Times News Desk
