On Wednesday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made the decision to dissolve the entire Himachal Pradesh party unit, as per PTI reports. This move is seen as part of Congress’ broader strategy to reorganize and strengthen its state structure, which has remained largely unchanged since the party formed the state government in December 2022. The decision comes as the party looks to address internal challenges and improve its performance in upcoming elections.
Pratibha Singh, the outgoing Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief and a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), was appointed to the role in April 2022. Singh, who is the wife of the late Virbhadra Singh, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has been a prominent figure in the state party leadership. Despite her departure from the PCC chief role, Singh is expected to continue influencing the party’s strategies and decisions in the state, given her strong political legacy.
A formal statement from AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal confirmed the decision, stating, “The Congress president has approved the proposal to dissolve the entire state unit of the PCC, district presidents, and Block Congress Committees of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, effective immediately.” The statement marks a significant shift as the party prepares for a major overhaul in the state leadership.
Factionalism within the Himachal Pradesh Congress has been a persistent issue, with reports suggesting it played a role in undermining party unity. One notable example was during the Rajya Sabha elections, where some Congress members defected and cross-voted, resulting in a defeat for Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi at the hands of BJP’s Harsh Mahajan. This incident highlighted the deep divisions within the party, which likely prompted the decision for restructuring.
Several names are now being floated for the position of new state party chief, with ministers Anirudh Singh and Harshvardhan Chauhan among those reportedly under consideration. The selection of a new leader is expected to play a crucial role in revitalizing the party and addressing its internal rifts as Congress gears up for future elections.
This restructuring in Himachal Pradesh follows a similar move in Odisha earlier this year, where the Congress dissolved the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee after disappointing electoral results. These actions reflect the party’s efforts to reorganize and rejuvenate its leadership ahead of crucial state and national elections.
