CM Sukhu mourns Chandramani Kulethi of Holi Valley
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu mourned Congress and IYC worker Chandramani Kulethi from Holi Valley, Chamba, calling his sudden death an irreparable loss for the region and expressing deep personal grief at a meeting that never came to be.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu paid tribute to Chandramani Kulethi , a Congress-IYC worker from Holi Valley , Chamba district , on 22 October 2026 .
Sukhu addressed Kulethi as 'chote bhai' (younger brother), reflecting a personal bond beyond party ties.
A meeting planned for the day of Kulethi's death remained incomplete, adding poignancy to the tribute.
The Chief Minister described the loss as 'irreparable' for Kulethi's family, Holi Valley , and the Congress organisation.
Sukhu specifically honoured Kulethi's loyalty and dedication to the Indian National Congress and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) .
Condolences were extended to the family and the wider Holi Valley community with a prayer for strength in grief.
A meeting that was never meant to happen became a farewell that no one could have foreseen. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday, 22 October 2026, paid an emotional tribute to Chandramani Kulethi, a Congress and Indian Youth Congress worker from Holi Valley in Chamba district, mourning his sudden and untimely passing.
Writing in Hindi with unmistakable personal grief, CM Sukhu addressed Kulethi as a younger brother — 'chote bhai' — and noted the particular sting of the loss: a meeting had been planned for the very day he died. 'Today we were supposed to meet,' Sukhu wrote, 'but who knew it would remain incomplete forever. Your words are echoing in my ears. Your way of speaking and your warmth will always be remembered.'
An unfinished meeting and a lasting absence
The Chief Minister described Kulethi's sudden departure as an 'irreparable loss' — not just for his family, but for the entirety of Holi Valley. The phrase he used, 'apooraniya kshati' (irreparable loss), carried the weight of someone grieving both a comrade and a friend, not merely a constituent. He expressed the regret that he could not share even a few more moments with him.
Sukhu specifically acknowledged Kulethi's dedication to the Indian National Congress and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), describing his loyalty, struggle, and commitment as qualities that would not be forgotten. Grassroots workers like Kulethi form the backbone of the Congress organisational network in Himachal Pradesh's remote valleys — their tireless local mobilisation underpins the party's hold in areas like Holi Valley.
Condolences to family and Holi Valley
Extending his sympathies to Kulethi's family, friends, and the wider community, the Chief Minister prayed that God grant the departed a place at his feet — 'ईश्वर आपको अपने श्रीचरणों में स्थान दें' — and that those left behind find the strength to bear the immense grief. It is a solemn invocation familiar across Hindu prayer traditions, offered here with the full weight of a public figure's personal sorrow.
In Himachal Pradesh, where Congress operates through tightly knit valley-level units, the loss of a committed local worker resonates far beyond any formal designation. The Chief Minister's personal address to Kulethi as 'chote bhai' — younger brother — signals a bond that went well beyond party hierarchy.
A valley grieves today. And the Chief Minister has made sure the nation knows it.
Point of View
But Sukhu's tribute stands out for its unusually intimate register — the address of 'younger brother' and the grief over an unfinished meeting suggest genuine personal closeness. For the Congress in Himachal Pradesh, publicly honouring workers from remote valleys like Holi Valley in Chamba also serves an organisational purpose: it signals to the rank-and-file that their sacrifice is seen and remembered by leadership. In a state where the party won power in 2022 on grassroots mobilisation, maintaining such emotional bonds with local cadres is both humane and politically astute.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chandramani Kulethi?
Chandramani Kulethi was a Congress and Indian Youth Congress (IYC) worker from Holi Valley in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. He was mourned by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu as a younger brother and a dedicated party worker.
Why did CM Sukhu post a tribute to Chandramani Kulethi?
CM Sukhu posted the tribute on 22 October 2026 following Kulethi's sudden death. Sukhu expressed personal grief, noting that a meeting planned for that very day could never take place.
Where is Holi Valley located?
Holi Valley is a region in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, known for its active local Congress organisational presence.
What is the Indian Youth Congress (IYC)?
The Indian Youth Congress is the youth wing of the Indian National Congress party. It plays an important role in grassroots-level political mobilisation across states including Himachal Pradesh.
What did CM Sukhu say in his tribute?
Sukhu addressed Kulethi as 'younger brother,' recalled his warmth and style of speaking, described his death as an irreparable loss for Holi Valley, and prayed that God grant peace to the departed and strength to the bereaved family.
