Handed over list of ministerial probables to Congress high command, says Himachal CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that he has handed over the list of probables for cabinet expansion to the party high command for approval.

Expansion is possible on Sunday or later, he told reporters after returning from Delhi where he held deliberations with top party leaders on the induction of new ministers.

There has been much speculation over the induction of more ministers since Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri took oath nearly a month ago following the Congress' win in the assembly election.

Also Read | Himachal cabinet expansion: Congress faces challenges in striking balance between regions, caste, factions

The list has been handed over to the high command and expansion would be done only after the list is cleared by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sukhu said.

In case the expansion of cabinet does not take place on Sunday, it would be held after January 12 as Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is scheduled to leave for Goa tomorrow.

There are 10 vacancies in the council of ministers as the total number of ministers, including the chief minister and deputy chief minister, in Himachal Pradesh cannot exceed 12.

Also Read | 5-time MLA Pathania elected Himachal Assembly Speaker

Congress is facing a daunting task due to the aspirations of various regions, castes and factions for representation. It also has to strike a balance while inducting old and new faces.

Three out of 12 districts have been given representation - Sukhu from Hamirpur, Agnihotri from Una and five times MLA from Bhatiyyat Kuldeep Pathania, who is from Chamba, as Assembly Speaker, a party source noted.

One minister is expected from the Tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur. Kangra and Shimla with ten and seven Congress MLAs respectively are expected to be given a share in the cabinet.

The Congress has won 40 out of 68 assembly seats including four each in Una, Solan, and Hamirpur, three in Sirmaur, two each in Chamba and Kullu, and one each in Mandi, Bilaspur, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts.

Sukhu had maintained that the cabinet would be expanded in consultation with the high command and it would be a mix of professionals, youth and representatives of various sections.

Former ministers and a number of second and third-time MLAs are among those aspiring for ministerial berths.

The party has to also reconcile the claims of the two factions led by Suhkhu and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh.

The front runners include Chander Kumar from Jawali in Kangra, a former minister and former Lok Sabha Member, and oldest MLA Dhani Ram Shandil from Solan, who is also a former minister and former Lok Sabha member.

Former minister Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala in Kangra, six-time MLA Harshvardhan Chauhan from Shillai in Sirmaur, former deputy speaker Jagat Singh Negi from Kinnaur, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh's son Vikramaditya Singh and four-time MLA from Jubbal-Kotkhai Rohit Thakur, who is the grandson of former chief minister Ram Lal Thakur, are also among the top contenders.