Shimla: Vinay Kumar on Sunday here today took charge as the new Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president — only the second leader from Sirmaur after Dr Y.S. Parmar to hold the post.
A consensus pick backed by all state factions and cleared by the party high command, Vinay’s elevation marks a generational shift in the Congress leadership.
Son of veteran Dalit leader and former MLA Dr Prem Singh, Vinay Kumar — a former Deputy Speaker — now faces the tough task of uniting all camps, countering rising anti-incumbency, and preparing the party for its real electoral showdown with an aggressive BJP two years from now.
Taking charge at Rajiv Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Mukesh Agnihotri, Rajni Patil, Vinay Kumar said he would work with “sincerity and determination” to strengthen the organisation and take the government’s achievements to every household.
CM Sukhu termed the moment “the beginning of a new era” in the state Congress, adding that a young leader at the helm would give fresh energy to the organisation.
He accused the BJP of trying to “undermine a democratically elected government” one-and-a-half years ago but said the people had given a “fitting reply”.
The CM asserted that the state economy was improving with restored financial discipline and equitable development.
AICC in-charge Rajni Patil, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri and several ministers and senior leaders attended the ceremony, expressing confidence that the Congress would return to power under the new leadership.
Outgoing PCC president Pratibha Singh hoped women would continue to get prominence in the organisation.
Senior ministers, MLAs, party office-bearers and dignitaries were present during the transition.
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