New HPCC Chief Vinay Kumar Says He Will Use Strong Ties With Senior Leaders to Unite and Strengthen Congress in Himachal

HPCC chief Vinay Kumar said on Sunday that he plans to draw on his “strong relationships” with senior leaders to strengthen the Congress and improve coordination between the party and the state government. Kumar met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at his residence in Shimla as part of his first outreach after taking charge.

A three-time MLA from the Shri Renukaji constituency in Sirmaur district, Kumar said, “My father and I both worked closely with the late Virbhadra Singh, and we have always had warm ties with his family. I also share a very good relationship with Chief Minister Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. I’ll use these relationships to take everyone along and strengthen the party.”

His elevation is being viewed in political circles as a balancing move by the Congress high command to avoid friction among factions.

Referring to the selection process, Kumar said that all six candidates interviewed for the post were equally capable. But senior leaders knew that the state unit chief’s position had not gone to Sirmaur district since the tenure of Himachal’s first Chief Minister, Y.S. Parmar. “Besides, my constituency has long been a Congress stronghold. First, Y.S. Parmar represented it; then my father won it six times, and now I’ve been elected three times. In all these years, the BJP has held the seat for only three,” he said.

Kumar’s biggest challenge will be reviving the morale of party workers, who had grown frustrated by the long delay in reconstituting the HPCC. Acknowledging this, he said the state unit would be reorganized quickly. “It hasn’t even been 24 hours since I became HPCC chief, and I’ve already received a flood of messages—including from those who had been silent for some time. Seeing the response from senior leaders and workers, I’m confident we can rebuild the HPCC and take on the BJP.”

Under outgoing chief Pratibha Singh, coordination between the government and the organization was often seen as lacking. Singh had publicly voiced concerns about party workers not getting their due. Kumar said he would act as the voice of party workers and ensure smooth coordination between the party and the government. “Maybe there were shortcomings earlier, but we will work together to resolve any concerns workers may have.”

‘I carried out my responsibility with full dedication’: Pratibha Singh

Congratulating Vinay Kumar on his appointment, outgoing state Congress president Pratibha Singh expressed hope that the organization would continue to grow under his leadership. She thanked the Congress high command for entrusting her with the responsibility of steering the party in the state.

“I performed my duty with full dedication and will continue to serve the party in whatever way is required,” she said.

Singh also thanked party leaders and workers for their support during her tenure, saying their efforts helped form a strong Congress government in the state. She added that under CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, she would work with the new state unit chief to further strengthen the organization.