The Epicenter of Attention shall be Kangra Lok Sabha and Dharamsala Assembly Elections.
The Election Commission has announced the timeline for the forthcoming General Elections, with the nomination period set for May 7-14, polling on June 1, and the announcement of results by June 4, 2024. Himachal Pradesh, with its serene backdrop, is abuzz with electoral preparations for its four Lok Sabha seats, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) currently dominates with three seats, leaving the Indian National Congress (INC) with one.
In the electoral arena, the BJP has confidently announced candidates for two of the four seats. Anurag Thakur, Union Minister and a heavyweight in the party, is poised to contest from the Hamirpur constituency for the fifth time in a row. Thakur’s political legacy, combined with his substantial roles within the government and the BCCI, positions him as a formidable contender. The Congress party, however, has yet to unveil a candidate with the potential to challenge Thakur’s stronghold in Hamirpur, with possibilities including political figures close to the state’s leadership and new entrants like Lt Col D S Patial.
The political narrative in Himachal Pradesh takes a dramatic turn with the announcement of by-elections in the Kangra-Chamba parliamentary constituency and the Dharamshala assembly constituency, adding layers of intrigue and speculation. The disqualification of Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma and the subsequent political reshuffling have sparked discussions on potential defections and candidatures, affecting both major parties’ strategies.
As the state progresses towards Election Day on June 1, the BJP has partially unveiled its slate of candidates, while the Congress party maintains suspense, especially in the Kangra seat, which has historically seen fluctuating numbers of contenders and significant victories.
The Shimla reserved seat sees the BJP re-nominating the incumbent MP Kashyap, as Congress deliberates among several potential nominees. Meanwhile, the Mandi seat is anticipated to remain a Congress bastion, possibly pitting Pratibha Singh against a celebrity candidate from the BJP, rumored to become star Kangana Ranaut.
Kangra district anticipates the introduction of fresh candidates, with the BJP considering various names, including the controversial figure Sudhir Sharma. The Congress is likely to lean towards seasoned politician Asha Kumari, with other notable members also in contention.
The electoral fervor extends to by-elections for six assembly seats, triggered by the disqualification of Congress MLAs, with both parties gearing up for a rigorous campaign.
As Himachal Pradesh approaches these critical elections, the blend of experienced politicians and new contenders sets the stage for a closely watched electoral battle, with the outcomes poised to shape the political landscape of this picturesque state
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
