The political atmosphere in Himachal Pradesh has intensified as Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri remained absent from the ongoing Assembly session, sparking widespread speculation within the ruling Congress and beyond. While official sources maintain that Agnihotri is in Delhi to attend his daughter’s wedding reception, political observers believe the timing of his absence—amid heightened internal tensions—cannot be overlooked.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was seen strolling through Dharamshala’s Kachari Bazaar, interacting with locals in a display of confidence and public outreach. But Agnihotri’s absence from the House, at a moment when the government faces both administrative and political challenges, has only deepened questions about the growing rift between the state’s two top leaders.
Over the past few weeks, Agnihotri has consistently made statements that appear to challenge the functioning and decision-making style of Chief Minister Sukhu. A recent social media video further amplified these tensions. In the clip, the Deputy CM is seen openly telling people that he is now “free” and will spend the next six months among the public. The video also shows him instructing the Una Deputy Commissioner to take strict action against those involved in illegal activities—an unusually direct administrative intervention for a senior political figure already at odds with the CM.
Political insiders suggest that Agnihotri’s increasing assertiveness may be linked to his perceived marginalization within the government. Known for his close association with the late former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Agnihotri remains a strong supporter of the Virbhadra legacy. Many within the Congress believe that the enduring popularity and mass connect of Virbhadra Singh still hold tremendous influence in Himachal’s political landscape—something Agnihotri has not only acknowledged but publicly stressed on multiple occasions.
Moreover, his recent meetings with the party’s central leadership in Delhi have raised eyebrows, fueling speculation about possible realignments within the Himachal Congress. For a government already dealing with internal differences and episodes of public dissent from elected representatives, the Deputy CM’s absence at such a critical juncture comes as yet another pressure point.
While the Congress leadership maintains that all is well between the Chief Minister and his deputy, the visible public posturing tells a more complex story. Agnihotri’s actions—whether administrative interventions, political messaging, or strategic distancing—are being closely read as signs of deeper turmoil within the ruling establishment.
As Himachal Pradesh approaches a politically sensitive phase marked by governance challenges, economic concerns, and shifting loyalties within the Congress, Mukesh Agnihotri’s next moves will be watched keenly. Whether his absence is purely personal or symbolically political, it has certainly added a new layer of intrigue to the state’s evolving power dynamics.
