Himachal Pradesh’s Monsoon Session records 98% legislative productivity with major bills passed, yet sharp exchanges between CM Sukhu and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh over power sharing highlight the Congress’s internal rift.
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The Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly concluded on 3 September 2025, with the rare distinction of registering 98 percent productivity, one of the highest in recent years. While Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania hailed the session as a “model for disciplined democratic functioning,” the high numbers masked an undercurrent of political friction that surfaced repeatedly during debates and question hours, particularly within the ruling Congress camp.
On the legislative front, the House cleared eight bills, including the landmark Public Utilities Reform Bill 2025, aimed at modernising the delivery of water, electricity, and transport services. Other bills focusing on healthcare expansion, eco-tourism regulation, and digital education reforms also sailed through after extensive discussions. Opposition members, mainly from the BJP, raised concerns about potential privatisation and transparency, but the bills were passed with majority support, giving the Sukhu government a legislative victory.
Speaker Pathania, while announcing the productivity figures, praised the “constructive participation of members” and said the session could be cited as an example of how legislative assemblies should function. He highlighted that out of 134 starred questions listed during the session, 120 were answered, while multiple calling-attention motions on floods, landslides, and unemployment were debated in detail.
However, the otherwise smooth numbers were punctured by repeated public spats between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh, the son of six-time former CM Virbhadra Singh. The disagreements, which have been brewing for months, spilled into the open once again, with Vikramaditya indirectly accusing the CM of sidelining him and not giving due weightage to the legacy of his late father. The young minister reportedly skipped key cabinet meetings during the session, fuelling speculation about widening cracks within the Congress ranks.
The opposition BJP, led by Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, wasted no time in capitalising on the feud, accusing the Congress of being “busy fighting among themselves while the state suffers under floods and unemployment.” BJP legislators frequently pointed to the internal discord, saying it was affecting governance at a time when Himachal needed unity and leadership.
Despite the political storm, the government defended its performance, with CM Sukhu asserting that the Congress was “united in purpose” and that differences were “natural in a democratic setup.” He claimed the government’s focus was on rehabilitation of flood-affected families, youth employment policies, and green energy projects. Sukhu also took on the opposition, reminding them of the “debt burden and ecological mess” inherited from previous BJP regimes.
Political analysts believe the tension between Sukhu and Vikramaditya has less to do with policy disagreements and more with power equations inside the party. With municipal elections due later this year and Lok Sabha polls only months away, the feud could either settle into a compromise or explode into a serious crisis for the Congress. The Vikramaditya camp, buoyed by loyalists of the late Virbhadra Singh, still commands influence in several districts, while Sukhu has tried to build his own leadership brand independent of dynastic politics.
The dichotomy was visible throughout the session—on one hand, the House presented a picture of efficiency and commitment to law-making, while on the other, the ruling party appeared fragmented. Some legislators privately admitted that though the Congress has done well in terms of legislative productivity, “perception management” could be difficult if the Sukhu-Vikramaditya divide deepens.
The Monsoon Session will be remembered not just for its high productivity but also as a reminder of the fragile equilibrium within Himachal politics. For the common citizen, the passage of reform-oriented bills promises better services in the years ahead, but the looming question is whether the Congress can hold together long enough to deliver on these promises amid the pulls of personal ambition and legacy politics.
This is a web generated news report.
