On Wednesday, the Congress dissolved its entire party unit in Himachal Pradesh, likely in response to recent setbacks, including losses in the Lok Sabha elections, an unexpected defeat in the Rajya Sabha, and a series of organisational and policy missteps that revealed internal conflicts in the party’s only stronghold in northern India. According to Congress insiders, the reorganisation may reduce the influence of state party Chief Pratibha Singh, a significant power figure in the region.

“Congress president has approved the proposal to dissolve the entire state unit of the PCC, district presidents and Block Congress Committees of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect,” an official communication from AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said.

An AICC official noted that the dissolution of the state unit comes several months after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge pledged decisive actions in states where the party underperformed in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In Himachal Pradesh, Congress did not secure a single Lok Sabha seat.

“The Lok Sabha debacle seems to be the immediate trigger but the party might also try to clip the wings of Pratibha Singh, widow of the five-term chief minister Virbhadra Singh,” said the leaders quoted above.

Reacting to the development Pratibha Singh said, “We, both the CM and me, had requested the high command to dissolve the PCC. We had sent the letter requesting the same. We will be inducting new people who will work actively for the party. This time we will keep the committee precise.”

PWD minister Vikramaditya Singh said, “It was high time that PCC was reconstituted. This body was working for more than 15 years and this was the need of the hour. The committee had become defunct as many members had become inactive and few had even retired. The revival will induct fresh blood in the party.”

Earlier this year, Congress lost the Rajya Sabha election despite holding a comfortable 10-vote lead over the Bharatiya Janata Party. Widespread cross-voting undercut Congress’s nominee, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, exposed deep-seated factionalism and internal conflicts with leaders blaming supporters of Pratibha Singh. Singhvi was later elected to the Upper House from Telangana. Another senior leader noted that the overhaul was essential, as there had been no changes within the state unit since Congress formed the government in December 2022.

In September, the state government sparked controversy when state minister Vikramaditya Singh—Pratibha Singh’s son—advocated for a rule requiring shops and eateries to display owners' names, citing Uttar Pradesh as the model.

The administration later reversed its stance, clarifying that no official decision had been made regarding the proposal. Two Congress leaders revealed that the party high command, frustrated by the situation, expressed its displeasure with Singh’s plan, which resembled a controversial directive from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Himachal Pradesh in-charge Rajiv Shukla intervened, speaking with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Vikramaditya Singh to address the issue. Shukla later explained that a committee formed by the Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker had proposed regulating vendors through licenses. He emphasised that vendors would not be required to display their names, and the initiative was aimed at preventing traffic disruptions.

“The reconstitution of the state unit will be to reduce factionalism and ensure that the government and the organisation are in sync with each other,” said the second leader, requesting anonymity.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said, “The dissolution of PCC is part of standard practice of the party. This was long-expected and long-awaited. The committee will be constituted by way of nomination that will go directly to the incharge of the state.”

Former CM and leader of Opposition in the state assembly Jai Ram Thakur, said, “Congress party has realised that Congress government and as well its committee had lost the touch with ground reality. The party despite being in power had lost all 4 seats in Parliamentary elections. The Congress senior leaders are not happy with the government as well as the committee. This overhauling of the party will not just remain till dissolving the committee next will be government. The public sentiment is against the government and the high command.”