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The Indian National Congress (INC) has taken a significant step in its organizational restructuring by dissolving its state unit in Himachal Pradesh. This decision marks a pivotal moment for the party, particularly in a state where it currently holds the chief minister's position. The move, announced on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024, by Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, signals a potential shift in the party's strategy for the upcoming elections. The dissolution encompasses the entire state unit, including the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), district presidents, and block Congress committees, with immediate effect.
Pratibha Singh, the widow of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh, served as the president of the outgoing HPCC. Her appointment in 2022 marked her as a prominent figure within the party and a contender for the chief minister's post in the 2022 assembly elections. However, the post ultimately went to Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The dissolution of the state unit has sparked speculation about the party's future direction in Himachal Pradesh, particularly given the upcoming elections.
This recent dissolution is not entirely unprecedented. In 2019, the Congress had also dissolved its Himachal Pradesh state unit, although the then-president, Kuldeep Singh Rathore, remained in his position. The current move, however, signifies a more comprehensive restructuring, aiming to revitalize the party's presence in the state. Sources within the Congress have attributed the decision to a planned revamp, suggesting an effort to strengthen the party's electoral prospects in the coming years. As the Congress navigates this period of organizational transformation, the impact of this dissolution on its political standing in Himachal Pradesh will be closely observed.
Source: In Big Move, Congress Dissolves Himachal Pradesh Unit