Sukhu bats for SC leader or minister as new HPCC chief

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu wants the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president to be either from the Scheduled Caste community or from amongst his Cabinet colleagues. “I’ve written to the high command that the HPCC reins should be handed over to someone from the SC community or any minister if willing,” the Chief Minister said here today after returning from Delhi.

For me, all are equal

For me, all are equal. Whoever becomes the party president, he will take the Congress legacy further.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister

Sukhu further said that he had not suggested any name for the post of the HPCC president. “For me, all are equal. Whoever becomes the party president, he will take the Congress legacy further,” the CM said. Sukhu, his senior ministers and HPCC president Pratibha Singh recently met the party leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and AICC state in-charge Rajni Patil, to discuss issues related to the government and party in the state.

From the SC community, the names of Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar and Kasauli MLA Vinod Sultanpuri have been doing the rounds for the post of the party president. Among the ministers, the name of Education Minister has cropped up following the Delhi meeting.

Rohit Thakur has already dropped a hint that he is ready to take the job by saying that “I am satisfied with the current responsibility but no one can defy the direction of the high command”. The Chief Minister’s statement also makes it clear that the incumbent HPCC president Pratibha Singh has fallen behind in the race for the top party post in the state.

The CM further said that it was for the high command to decide whether any minister, if made the party president, can continue to be a minister. The CM hoped that the name of the president would be announced shortly. “Thereafter, the Cabinet expansion will also be done as one ministerial post is currently vacant,” he said.