A single vacant Cabinet berth has turned into a political headache for Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur has reportedly said he could leave the Congress if he is not made a minister by 11 December 2026, according to a newspaper report cited by BJP spokesperson Baldev Tomar on 13 November. Thakur himself has denied that he will quit the party.
The row has given the BJP fresh ammunition to allege a rift in the ruling Congress, a year before the state’s next Assembly election. In this Election Guru explainer we cover what Thakur said, CM Sukhu’s promise, the other contenders, the Himachal Assembly numbers, the 2024 political crisis and what the row means for 2027.
Himachal Cabinet Row at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| MLA | Sunder Singh Thakur, Congress MLA from Kullu |
| Demand | Induction into the Cabinet |
| Reported deadline | 11 December 2026 (cited by BJP from a newspaper report) |
| Thakur’s response | Denied he would leave Congress; framed it as Kullu’s dignity and self-respect |
| CM’s position | Has publicly said Thakur will soon become a minister |
| Pending | Approval from the Congress high command |
| Vacant berths | One Cabinet berth |
| BJP’s charge | Growing resentment inside the Congress |
What Sunder Singh Thakur Said
According to the report cited by the BJP, Thakur voiced displeasure to party functionaries and linked his demand to the self-respect of the people of Kullu and the district’s representation in the government. In a Facebook post, however, he dismissed speculation that he would leave the Congress if he is not made a minister. He framed the issue as one of the dignity of Kullu rather than personal ambition.
The debate also spilled onto social media, where Thakur and former Congress MLA Sudhir Sharma, now in the BJP, reportedly traded barbs over the delay in Cabinet expansion.
CM Sukhu’s Promise
Chief Minister Sukhu has repeatedly signalled support for Thakur. Reports quote him calling Thakur “our soon-to-be minister” at a public event and saying the government is only waiting for the formal communication from the Congress high command. The fact that the final approval has still not come is what has fuelled the frustration in Kullu.
Who Else Is in the Race?
| MLA | Constituency | District |
|---|---|---|
| Sunder Singh Thakur | Kullu | Kullu |
| Sanjeev Rattan | Jawalamukhi | Kangra |
| Ashish Butail | Palampur | Kangra |
Political circles had largely narrowed the race for the lone vacant berth to these three. Regional balance is a big factor: Kangra is the state’s largest district with 15 seats, while Kullu has been seeking representation in the Cabinet.
Why December 11 Is Symbolic
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was sworn in as Chief Minister on 11 December 2022. The reported deadline therefore falls on the fourth anniversary of his government, adding pressure on the Chief Minister to settle the issue before the government enters its final year.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Numbers
| Party | 2022 Result (of 68) | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Congress | 40 | Comfortable majority after 2024 by-elections |
| BJP | 25 | Main opposition |
| Independents | 3 | Resigned in 2024; seats went to by-polls |
The majority mark is 35. Under the constitutional cap, the Council of Ministers in a 68-member House can have a maximum of 12 members including the Chief Minister.
The 2024 Crisis: A Reminder for Congress
The Congress government faced its biggest crisis in February 2024, when six Congress MLAs cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election, helping the BJP’s Harsh Mahajan defeat Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The six were disqualified, and three independent MLAs also resigned. In the by-elections that followed in 2024, the Congress won enough seats to restore its strength to 40. Sudhir Sharma of Dharamshala, now in the BJP, was among the rebels. That episode is why any sign of discontent in the Congress is watched closely.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 2022 | Congress wins 40 seats; Sukhu becomes CM on 11 Dec |
| Feb 2024 | Six Congress MLAs cross-vote in Rajya Sabha poll; Congress loses seat |
| 2024 | Rebels disqualified; independents resign; by-elections held |
| 2024 | Congress back to 40 seats after by-polls |
| Nov 2026 | Kullu MLA’s reported deadline for Cabinet berth |
BJP’s Attack
BJP spokesperson Baldev Tomar said “the ultimatum from the Kullu MLA is now before the Chief Minister” and that the issue had “gone beyond the demand for a ministerial berth.” He called it a sign of “growing resentment within the Congress” and asked the party to explain the delay in Cabinet expansion. He said people expect action on unemployment, development and economic challenges instead.
Himachal Election 2027
Himachal Pradesh votes again in late 2027. The state has alternated between the Congress and the BJP at every election since 1990, which makes every sign of internal trouble important for both parties.
| Year | Winner | Chief Minister |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | BJP | Prem Kumar Dhumal |
| 2012 | Congress | Virbhadra Singh |
| 2017 | BJP | Jai Ram Thakur |
| 2022 | Congress | Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu |
| 2027 | Due | – |
Also Read: Elections in 2027: Full List of State and National Polls
Sukhu Government: Four Years in Review
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a four-time MLA from Nadaun and a former state Congress president, became Chief Minister after the Congress won the 2022 election. His government has faced financial stress, recovery from the devastating 2023 monsoon floods and the 2024 Rajya Sabha crisis. It has highlighted the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees as a major achievement.
| Area | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Old Pension Scheme | Restored for government employees |
| Disaster recovery | Rebuilding after the 2023 floods and landslides |
| Finances | Heavy debt and pressure on salaries and pensions |
| Political stability | Survived 2024 cross-voting crisis and by-elections |
Why Cabinet Expansion Is Delayed in Congress States
In the Congress, Cabinet changes need approval from the party high command in Delhi, which must balance regions, castes, factions and seniority. This often leads to long delays. In Himachal, the Kangra region, Kullu and other districts all want representation, and the party also has to keep former rebels and independents in mind. The longer a berth stays vacant, the more aspirants feel ignored, which is what has happened in Kullu.
Kullu: Why Representation Matters
Kullu district, known for tourism, apple farming and the famous Kullu Dussehra, has often sought stronger representation in the state government. Sunder Singh Thakur has framed his demand as a matter of the district’s dignity. The Kullu area was among the worst affected during the 2023 monsoon floods, which also made local MLAs push harder for a voice in government.
What Could Happen Next
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Expansion before 11 December | Thakur becomes minister; row ends |
| Another contender chosen | Possible discontent in Kullu |
| Continued delay | BJP keeps attacking; pressure on CM Sukhu grows |
| Broader reshuffle | Portfolio changes along with the new induction |
Himachal Council of Ministers: How It Is Formed
Under Article 164(1A) of the Constitution, the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the Assembly’s strength, but it cannot be fewer than 12. For a 68-member House like Himachal Pradesh, this means the Council of Ministers can have a maximum of 12 members. With one berth vacant, every appointment is a balancing act between regions such as Kangra, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu and Hamirpur, and between communities and factions within the party. Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, once used to accommodate MLAs, have faced legal challenges, which leaves fewer ways to keep aspirants satisfied.
| Region | Why It Matters in Cabinet Balance |
|---|---|
| Kangra | Largest district with 15 seats |
| Shimla | Capital district; traditional Congress strength |
| Mandi | Large district; BJP stronghold |
| Hamirpur | CM Sukhu’s home district |
| Kullu | Seeking representation through Sunder Singh Thakur |
BJP in Himachal: Leaders and Strategy
The BJP in Himachal Pradesh is led by former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, while Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur and senior national leader J.P. Nadda, who is from the state, add weight. The party won all four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal in 2014, 2019 and 2024, showing strong support in national elections. In state elections, however, Himachal has alternated, and the BJP is counting on anti-incumbency and the Congress’s internal issues to return in 2027.
| Election | BJP Lok Sabha Seats (of 4) |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2024 | 4 |
That is why the BJP has quickly seized on every sign of discontent in the Congress, from the 2024 cross-voting crisis to the present Cabinet berth row.
Election Guru Analysis
The Sunder Singh Thakur episode is a classic case of Cabinet-berth politics in a small state where every MLA counts and regional balance matters. CM Sukhu has publicly promised the post, but the Congress high command’s delay has allowed the BJP to frame it as a rift. If the expansion happens before 11 December, the issue may fade quickly. If not, it could become a bigger test of the Congress’s unity heading into the 2027 election.
Himachal Cabinet Expansion FAQ
Who is Sunder Singh Thakur?
Sunder Singh Thakur is the Congress MLA from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh.
What is the December 11 deadline?
A newspaper report cited by BJP spokesperson Baldev Tomar said Thakur could leave the Congress if not made a minister by 11 December 2026. Thakur has denied he will quit.
What has CM Sukhu said about Sunder Singh Thakur?
CM Sukhu has publicly indicated that Thakur will soon be made a Cabinet minister, pending approval from the Congress high command.
How many Cabinet berths are vacant in Himachal?
One Cabinet berth is vacant in the Sukhu government.
Who else is in the race for the Cabinet berth?
Jawalamukhi MLA Sanjeev Rattan and Palampur MLA Ashish Butail have also been mentioned.
How many seats does Congress have in Himachal?
Congress won 40 of 68 seats in 2022 and is back at that strength after the 2024 by-elections. The majority mark is 35.
When is the next Himachal Pradesh election?
The next Himachal Pradesh Assembly election is due in late 2027.