Kuldeep Singh Rathore: Himachal Congress’s backroom hero finally gets recognition with ticket from Theog

Lawyer with Rahul's ear is credited with party's victories in the state over the years

Rathore's journey in politics began during the students movement in Himachal in 1979, when he led a month-long protest against the Janata Party government in the state as president of the Students Action Committee. (Express Photo by Pradeep Kumar)

Kuldeep Singh Rathore is one of the few fresh faces fielded by the Congress for the Himachal Assembly elections, in a list that mostly contains previous winners and children of former MLAs and ministers. But, although this is Rathore’s first election, he is by no means a new face for the party.

The 61-year-old leader holds the unique distinction of being the president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee without having fought a single election. In the forthcoming polls, Rathore has been given the ticket from Theog, a VIP seat that had been the bastion of Vidya Stokes, the scion of the state’s pioneering apple horticulture family.

Election Watch | Cong banks on experience, legacy & performance for ticket selection, with little time left for campaigning in Himachal

In the previous elections, Stokes had vacated the seat for CM Virbhadra Singh, who decided to fight from Arki at the last moment. The ticket was then given to a youth leader, who lost to Rakesh Singha, CPI(M)’s lone MLA in Himachal.

Story continues below this ad

This time, Congress awarded Rathore the ticket from the seat in Shimla district as acknowledgement of his long-standing contribution to the party.

Rathore’s journey in politics began during the students movement in Himachal in 1979, when he led a month-long protest against the Janata Party government in the state as president of the Students Action Committee.

Editorial | Cong banks on experience, legacy & performance for ticket selection, with little time left for campaigning in Himachal

He remained Himachal NSUI president from 1981 to 1987. He also served as Himachal Congress secretary and then general secretary in-charge of organisation, besides being the party’s chief spokesperson. Rathore is credited to have been instrumental in the party’s victories over the years, especially in the Kumarsain region, where he hails from.

A three-time AICC member, the lawyer by profession has been a senior standing counsel of the Government of India. He is known to be closely associated with the Gandhis. Locals claim Rahul Gandhi is regularly in touch with him.

Story continues below this ad

In Premium | ‘This double-engine sarkar is running over people, we have slammed the brakes ’

He replaced Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu as the HPCC chief in 2019, and was succeeded by Pratibha Singh this year. Days after he left the post, he was appointed an AICC spokesperson.

Rathore’s supporters believe he is a chief ministerial candidate, having dedicated decades to building the party structure in the state without chasing personal glory. Because of his proximity to the party high command, they believe if Rathore wins Theog, their speculation could bear fruit.

Sonam Raghuvanshi and Raja Raghuvanshi, meghalaya honeymoon murder news, indian express

‘Raja was killed in front of Sonam’: Chargesheet filed in Meghalaya honeymoon murder case

India22 min ago

In a 790-page chargesheet filed on Saturday, the East Khasi Hills police in Meghalaya alleged that the honeymoon murder of Indore-based businessman Raja Raghuvanshi took place in the presence of his wife, Sonam Raghuvanshi, following a criminal conspiracy hatched by her and Raj Kushwaha, with whom she was in a relationship.

View all shorts

Live Blog