Amid swirling speculations suggesting the potential departure of Vikramaditya Singh from the Congress party and the anticipated exodus of certain MLAs, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has taken measures to bolster his position by bestowing cabinet ranks upon two legislators, namely Nand Lal and Bhawani Singh Pathania. This strategic move is perceived as a bid to mitigate the fallout from the recent setback experienced during the Rajya Sabha elections in the state.
Furthermore, against the backdrop of conjectures regarding Vikramaditya Singh's prospective formation of a new political entity dubbed 'Virbhadra Congress', inspired by his illustrious father and former Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, or his potential alliance with the BJP, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's elevation of Nand Lal's stature, aligned with Pratibha Singh's faction, could be construed as an endeavor to assuage concerns within the party's ranks. It is widely believed that Vikramaditya Singh's impending decision could exert considerable influence on the political allegiance of other party legislators.
In addition to the cabinet appointments, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also appointed 16 legal professionals to serve as additional advocate generals and deputy advocate generals, further underscoring his administration's proactive measures to fortify its position amidst prevailing uncertainties.
The recent developments have heightened political tensions within the state, with Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri reportedly engaging in discussions with Himachal Pradesh Congress chief Pratibha Singh to apprise her of the aforementioned elevations and appointments. The evolving dynamics within the state's political landscape have generated palpable apprehensions among party loyalists, with concerns mounting over potential defections should Vikramaditya Singh opt to part ways with the Congress.
Moreover, the conspicuous absence of Vikramaditya Singh from recent cabinet meetings, coupled with his ostensible disengagement from ministerial duties and his relocation to New Delhi, has fueled speculation regarding his imminent course of action. While Vikramaditya Singh has refrained from divulging his future plans, he has expressed grievances over purported mistreatment by the Sukhvinder Sukhu-led government, signaling discord within the party ranks.
Meanwhile, Pratibha Singh has sought to dispel rumors surrounding her son's political trajectory, maintaining that no concrete decisions have been made thus far. However, the prevailing uncertainty underscores the fluidity of the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh, with the potential for further upheaval looming on the horizon.
