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New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi will meet senior Himachal Pradesh leaders in the national capital on August 4 to decide on the appointment of the new state Congress president and reconstitution of the long-defunct party organisation.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, current PCC chief Pratibha Singh, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, ministers Chander Kumar, Dhani Ram Shandil, Harshwardhan Chauhan, Rohit Thakur, and AICC in-charge Rajni Patil have been summoned for the meeting.

Reserved Category Push

The Congress high command is reportedly inclined to appoint a leader from the reserved category to woo Dalit voters. The names under consideration include:

• Vinay Kumar, three-time MLA and Deputy Speaker from Renukaji (Sirmaur)

• Vinod Sultanpuri, first-time MLA from Kasauli

• Suresh Kumar, first-time MLA from Bhoranj

• Yadvinder Goma, Ayurveda Minister (though reluctant to leave the Cabinet)

With Goma unwilling to quit his ministerial berth, the choice has narrowed to Vinay Kumar, Sultanpuri, and Suresh Kumar. Notably, Vinay Kumar has already met Kharge in Delhi.

Party Units Dissolved for 8 Months

The Himachal Pradesh Congress organisational structure — including state, district, and block units — was dissolved over eight months ago, leaving the party machinery non-functional. Despite multiple rounds of talks, no consensus emerged on the new PCC chief.

While Pratibha Singh, widow of former CM Virbhadra Singh, remains a potential candidate for another term, sources say the central leadership is prioritising caste and regional balance, with a strong preference for a Dalit leader to lead the party ahead of future elections.A final decision is expected at the August 4 meeting, potentially ending months of organisational limbo.