END OF THE OLD ORDER

The change of state unit chief marks Congress's decisive break from the Virbhadra era and tightens Sukhu's control

- Anilesh S. Mahajan

MONTHS OF QUIET REORGANISATION CULMINATED on November 22 with the Congress naming Vinay Kumar, 47, as its Himachal Pradesh unit chief. The threeterm MLA's appointment, which followed his resignation as deputy speaker the same morning, signals a clear shift in the party's internal balance-away from the once-dominant camp of the late Virbhadra Singh, the former royal and chief minister whose imprint shaped the state Congress for nearly four decades, and towards Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu midway through his term.

A day later, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) appointed 36 observers-three in each district-to oversee the selection of 12 district presidents.