Uncertainty in Himachal as CM Sukhu camps in Delhi to get Congress high command’s nod for Cabinet

Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has been camping in Delhi for the past three days to get the Congress high command’s nod on his Cabinet which has been held up for over three weeks now even as the newly elected MLAs are engaged in hectic lobbying to secure a position in the government.

The Raj Bhawan in Shimla was alerted two days ago about the impending swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers slated to happen this weekend.

This led Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to defer his travel plans for Goa, but insiders at Barnes’ Court – a British-era heritage landmark and now the state’s Raj Bhawan, said he is still awaiting the final word from the Chief Minister’s office.

The Governor as per the earlier schedule was to leave on January 7. He will fly to Goa, his home state, on Sunday afternoon, said officials.

There are chances of the swearing-in-ceremony being held early in the morning on January 8 if the Chief Minister gets the list cleared this afternoon. Otherwise, the cabinet formation may get delayed further to January 15 when the Governor returns to Shimla.

When contacted in Delhi, a senior government official escorting the Chief Minister said the cabinet formation is very much under process. There were a series of meetings scheduled with Central leaders including AICC president Mallaarjun Kharge, general secretary K C Venugopal and party in charge Rajeev Shukla on Friday.

“Once the list gets the approval of the party, the Chief Minister will go ahead with the plan to form his team. It’s true that things have been delayed but Sukhu ji is very eager to put in place a vibrant Cabinet,” he said.

The government is under sharp attack from the opposition BJP, and also the state Congress leadership for the unusual delay in the cabinet formation.

Leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur pointedly referred to the non-availability of a cabinet in the state that he claimed has made the Congress a laughing stock in the public which chose the party to perform and fulfill major promises like Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

“You said in the election campaign that the OPS will be implemented within 10 days of the government formation. Now, it’s almost a month. What’s your compulsion not to form the cabinet? he asked in the state assembly.

The Congress MLAs who expected to be part of the government are in utter confusion and find the situation quite embarrassing when they face their supporters. Some have not been able to go to their constituencies fearing uncomfortable questions.

Till now only Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri have taken oath on December 11.

Instead of forming the cabinet Sukhu, has given cabinet ranks to three party leaders—two of them his own staunch lieutenants. They include Sunil Sharma “Bittu” his principal political advisor and Naresh Chauhan, a PCC vice-president, named as principal media advisor.

The third, Gukul Butail, a close aide of Rajiv Shukla has been made Principal Advisor (IT and Innovations). Butail’s cousin Ashish Butail, a two-time MLA and son of veteran party leader B B L Butail, is waiting for his chance to get inducted in the cabinet.

“Is it not strange that while elected MLAs, few of whom are sixth term members of the Legislature Assembly are clueless as to who will be handpicked for the cabinet while the non-legislators are ruling the roost” a third-time Congress MLA told India Narrative.

Nevertheless, now that the first assembly session has been held, all eyes are on Sukhu’s move on the cabinet.

Is he really looking for an auspicious date or is it the result of infighting in the party?

There are questions going around even as it is also a fact that some MLAs want their positions in the cabinet, not through Sukhu but at the Central leadership’s behest. Sukhu is resisting those names.

Rahul Gandhi being on Bharat Jodo Yatra and Priyanka Gandhi also unable to give time to the Chief Minister of the newly formed Congress government have also come as hurdles although Sukhu has close ties with both.

Also Read: Over 3 weeks after taking oath Himachal CM Sukhu still confused over forming Cabinet