New Cut, New Course.

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Anurag Thakur has always been known for his sharp suits and sharper speeches. But now, with a noticeable new hairstyle and an equally trimmed list of national responsibilities, the five-time MP seems to be turning over a new leaf — one that’s firmly rooted in Himachal Pradesh.

After being dropped from the Union Cabinet in the recent Modi 3.0 reshuffle, Thakur has refocused his political energy on his home turf. His public appearances are more frequent, his messaging more local, and his tone more aggressive toward the ruling Congress in the hill state. From leading bypoll campaigns to slamming the state government’s fiscal policies, Thakur’s renewed emphasis on Himachal signals not retreat — but a reset.

Observers note that the shift in appearance mirrors a broader strategic pivot: less of Delhi’s spotlight, more boots on the ground. Whether it’s about reclaiming lost ground for the BJP or laying the foundation for a future chief ministerial bid, one thing is clear — Anurag Thakur is back home, with a sharper look and sharper intent.

After serving as a Union minister in Modi’s second term, Anurag Thakur was unexpectedly dropped from the Cabinet when Modi 3.0 was formed on 9 June 2024. Despite winning Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) by a large margin and holding high-profile portfolios like Sports, Youth Affairs, and Information & Broadcasting, Thakur was excluded from the new NDA Cabinet.

This development coincided with BJP national president J.P. Nadda’s induction into the Union Cabinet, prompting speculation that the party high command had intentionally refocused Thakur’s role. His fifth consecutive Lok Sabha win had raised expectations of a cabinet post, but he instead redirected his attention toward Himachal Pradesh.

In his public remarks, Thakur accepted the decision gracefully, congratulated the newly sworn-in ministers, and reaffirmed his loyalty to the party. He termed his re-election to Parliament as a matter of pride and responsibility.

• June 9, 2024: Modi 3.0 Cabinet formed; Thakur not included.
   
• July 2024: Leads BJP campaign in Himachal bypolls following the cabinet omission.
   
• Oct–Nov 2024: Intensifies criticism of the Congress government in Himachal.
   
• Jan 2025: Campaigns outside Himachal but maintains sharp focus on state politics.
   
• July 2025: Attends Himachal BJP state convention; praises re-elected state chief Rajeev Bindal.
   

Several political analysts believe Thakur’s removal from the Cabinet was not a demotion but a recalibration. With the 2027 Assembly elections looming, party strategists may have assigned Thakur a key role in fortifying the BJP in its home base.

Media reports indicated that Thakur had begun "camping in his constituency" and was leading the bypoll campaigns in Hamirpur, framing them as a battle of prestige. The shift in focus appears calculated to consolidate his Rajput and youth support base and counterbalance the influence of other state leaders like Jai Ram Thakur and Rajeev Bindal.

The BJP in Himachal has long been known for its internal factions — broadly led by Thakur, Nadda, and Jai Ram. Observers suggest that Thakur’s renewed focus on the state may be part of a larger strategy to assert his influence within the party and prepare for a bigger leadership role.

Initial reactions were a mix of surprise and speculation. While Thakur publicly downplayed the omission, his loyalists quietly expressed disappointment. Many believed that his parliamentary performance and visibility warranted a Cabinet seat.

Nevertheless, BJP insiders noted that Thakur was being positioned as a long-term asset in Himachal. Editorials emphasized that the move allowed Thakur to immerse himself in state politics and build momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.

Congress leaders, meanwhile, claimed the reshuffle exposed internal divisions within the BJP. The Chief Minister of Himachal even remarked that the party was a "divided house." Still, at public events, Thakur, Jai Ram, and Bindal presented a united front, dismissing suggestions of internal discord.

Freed from ministerial responsibilities, Thakur quickly assumed a grassroots role. He spearheaded the BJP’s campaign for by-elections in Hamirpur and Dehra, addressed multiple public meetings, and even led a bike rally.

By late 2024, he had become a vocal critic of the Congress government, accusing it of fiscal irresponsibility and unfulfilled promises. He claimed the government had taken over ₹27,000 crore in loans within 18 months. He also held rallies targeting the Congress for tax hikes and lack of development.

By early 2025, Thakur became one of Himachal’s ex-officio members of the BJP National Council and remained active in state-level party coordination.

Analysts view Thakur’s shift as part of a deliberate plan to groom him for a larger leadership role, possibly as the party’s face in the next assembly elections. Given that the BJP was completely shut out of all assembly segments under his Lok Sabha seat in 2022, regaining lost ground is both a strategic necessity and a personal challenge.

Thakur’s national profile, youthful appeal, and family legacy (as the son of former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal) make him a natural contender for future leadership. By returning to Himachal politics full-time, he repositions himself as both a grassroots organizer and a possible chief ministerial face.

Meanwhile, the reappointment of Bindal as state party president — seen as a consensus choice — is designed to maintain organizational stability amid these transitions. He is not considered a rival to Thakur for the CM post, but rather a steady hand to keep factions in balance.

Thakur’s return home is reshaping the BJP’s political landscape in Himachal Pradesh. On the surface, the presence of top leaders together at recent events projects an image of unity. At Bindal’s swearing-in as state president in July 2025, Anurag Thakur stood alongside former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur (now the Leader of Opposition) and other senior legislators. Both Thakur brothers publicly endorsed Bindal, reflecting a coordinated front. Party spokesmen, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, emphasized that Bindal’s unanimous election demonstrated the BJP’s internal democracy and broad acceptability. They asserted that Bindal’s nomination had not been proposed by any central leader such as Modi, Nadda, or Thakur—it was a grassroots consensus.

These gestures suggest that, at least for now, the top leadership in Himachal Pradesh is committed to presenting a united face against the ruling Congress government.

At the event, Anurag Thakur and Jai Ram Thakur jointly flanked Rajeev Bindal at the state party office, lauding his appointment as a unifying move and commending his organizational experience and commitment. However, beneath the surface, internal dynamics indicate ongoing power recalibrations.

Bindal’s elevation to a third term as state BJP chief is widely seen as a tactical and stabilizing move. A seasoned RSS functionary and long-time associate of JP Nadda, Bindal is viewed as a consensus administrator capable of maintaining equilibrium between the party’s old guard and the wave of newer entrants. Importantly, he is not perceived as a contender for the chief ministership, which positions him as a neutral anchor rather than a political rival to the main aspirants.

Meanwhile, Anurag Thakur is increasingly being mentioned in both political and media circles as a likely contender for the chief minister’s post. His national stature, youth connect, and ongoing emphasis on technology, sports, and development have added to his profile. Jai Ram Thakur, a seasoned leader and former CM, continues to hold significant sway, particularly in central Himachal Pradesh.

Bindal, in his speeches, has made references to both Prem Kumar Dhumal and Jai Ram Thakur’s political legacies—an apparent nod to fostering inclusivity among factions.

Ultimately, these developments indicate that the Himachal BJP is in a phase of strategic reorientation. With assembly elections two years away, the party appears to be experimenting with its leadership formula. Anurag Thakur’s return to the state from his central role may empower his faction, but it also increases pressure on him to demonstrate on-ground success. As one analyst aptly observed, while the BJP may be projecting cohesion, personal ambitions and rivalries remain intact—held together only by a shared ideological framework.

The coming months and years will reveal whether this balancing act will hold firm or unravel under the weight of competing aspirations.