Appointment of Sukhu, a close lieutenant of former Speaker Vidya Stokes, has come as a big jolt to former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who had favoured the name of Parmodh Sharma and also sitting Congress MLA Harshvardan Singh Chauhan for the post. Sukhu replaces former MLA Kuldeep Pathania, who was a Virbhadra Singh loyalist. Few feel that the Central leaders had started process for marginalise Virbhadra Singh in the party's new set-up.

Main opposition to Sukhu's name was on the ground that he had been a close confidant of former Communication Minister Sukh Ram, now the HVC president. Some Congress leaders in the Virbhadra Singh camp feel that Sukhu's was still maintaining his rapport with Sukh Ram.Other contenders for the post besides Parmodh Sharma also included Kuldeep Rathore.

In fact Sukhu's name for the post was cleared in October last but because of the tussle between the two factions of the CLP and the PCC, the appointment was delayed.

Reacting to his appointment, Sukhu said his main task would be to rejuvenate the ranks of the Youth Congress and fight against the anti-youth and anti-people policies of the government. He thanked AICC president and youth Congress president for selecting him for the job.

Meanwhile, Harsh Mahajan, MLA and former Youth Congress president has welcomed the appointment of Sukhu and complimented Munish Tiwari, All India Youth Congress president for picking up a suitable person for the job.

Former Chief Minister Ram Lal Thakur has welcomed the appointment of new Youth Congress president.