Shimla14 hours ago
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In Himachal, both the BJP and the Congress are in the process of deciding the election candidates. Election nominations are starting from tomorrow and the candidates of both the major parties have not been finalised. At the same time, the kind of discussions about the names of the candidates, due to which the voices of rebellion are also rising in both the parties.
BJP and Congress want to win the election at any cost, but mutual schism will become a big hindrance. On the other hand the Congress is already struggling to come to power, but the rebellion is ready to become a hindrance. Former Congress MLA from Chopal area of Shimla district made a direct threat to Rajiv Shukla on social media.
Subhash Mangalet threatens Rajiv Shukla in Congress
Congress has almost finalized the ticket of party general secretary Rajneesh Kimta from Shimla’s Chaupal assembly seat, but former MLA Subhash Mangalet is opposing. Congress in-charge Rajeev Shukla himself took over the command for Kimta and despite a lot of opposition, his name was also decided, but Subhash Mangalet is furious and he has also vented fierce anger on social media.
Subhash Mangalet directly targeted Rajiv Shukla on his social media account. He has written on his social media account not to worry. I am coming to contest elections. I am bringing the ticket of the people of Chaupal. I am going to the assembly in 2022. Satyameva Jayate. He has written that “Congress-BJP people are not hated, Rajiv Shukla Teri Khair Nahi.” Subhash Mangalet has been MLA from Chaupal seat for two times, he was also made the chairman of the State Marketing Board in the government of Virbhadra Singh.
Tweet written by Subhash Mangalet against Rajiv Shukla.
BJP’s Praveen Sharma raged in Mandi, Anil Sharma’s opposition
The rebellion is more challenging for the BJP as the spark is burning in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Kangra’s second largest district in terms of seats. BJP MLA Anil Sharma is protesting from Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. He is from Congress background, but he won the 2017 election on BJP ticket. At that time also there was opposition in the party and this time also the BJP organization is unable to digest them. In such a situation, Praveen Sharma, a strong contender for the ticket from Mandi, is preparing to enter the election fray as an independent candidate.
Praveen Sharma’s ticket was also cut in 2007.
At present, Praveen Sharma, the convener of BJP’s campaign committee, is a young and hardworking leader of the party in Mandi. He was given ticket by the party from Mandi seat in 2007, but on occasion the ticket was changed to DD Thakur, who lost to Anil Sharma of Congress. In 2012 also, Anil Sharma won the assembly elections from Congress.
Praveen Sharma again contested for the ticket in the year 2017, but by parachute, Anil Sharma left the Congress and joined the BJP and was given the ticket, he also won. At that time also many people had agreed to resign from the BJP, but the matter was suppressed due to Amit Shah, who was then BJP President. This time in the 2022 elections, again Anil Sharma is cutting Praveen Sharma’s ticket.
Challenge for BJP to repeat 2017’s performance in Mandi
Let us tell you that it will be a big challenge for the BJP to repeat the performance of 2017 in Mandi parliamentary constituency. Because one, it is the home parliamentary constituency of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Second, it has 10 assembly constituencies namely Nachan, Saraj, Mandi, Balh, Karsog, Dharampur, Sarkaghat, Sundernagar, Drang, Jogendranagar. BJP won all 10 seats in 2017 assembly elections, but this time it will be a big challenge for BJP to repeat the same performance or win all 10 seats.
BJP lost the Lok Sabha by-election in Mandi
Let us tell you that before the assembly elections, the BJP has suffered a setback in the Lok Sabha by-election in Mandi. The BJP was defeated in these by-elections held in 2021. At the same time, Pratibha Singh, wife of the late Virbhadra Singh, who was the Chief Minister of the state for 6 times, had become an MP by winning the election, but before that the BJP had won the municipal elections 2021 in Mandi.
Why is the BJP facing internal rebellion?
Actually, people are angry with the local leaders of BJP, because they have not been able to live up to the expectations of the people. People are angry because their work has not been done. In 5 years, most of the time was spent in circling and protesting, no scheme or plan came to fruition.
Seeing the working record of Anil Sharma, Praveen Sharma is claiming ticket and is ready to contest as an independent if he is not found. Second, Himachal has a history of 37 years that the government does not repeat. In such a situation, when the government changes every time, it can change this time also. BJP is ruling for 5 years, but people are angry then they are in the mood for change.
Trouble for Congress, Rebellion and Disintegration
Congress has played 10 guarantees to win the Himachal elections, but taking these guarantees to the public is a challenge for the Congress, as there is division and factionalism in the party organization. The leadership of the party in the state is divided into two factions.
Congress made a big change in the organization in April 2022 this year by making Pratibha Singh, wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, as the President of the State Congress Committee. Appointed senior leader Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu as the chairman of the election campaign committee. In the small state of Himachal Pradesh, the Congress had appointed working presidents like Punjab and Uttarakhand, but factionalism did not get rid of it.
Kuldeep Singh Rathod, MP Pratibha Singh, senior leaders Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Asha Kumari, Ramlal Thakur and Mukesh Agnihotri have their own factions. In such a situation, even if the election is won, the mutual split will put it on the verge of distrust from the very beginning.
Lack of strong face like Virbhadra Singh
In the Himachal by-elections held last year, the Congress defeated the ruling BJP 4-0. Due to this, the spirits of Congress leaders and workers are high, but due to the crushing defeat in 5 states, the morale of the Congressmen has dropped. In such a situation, Congress needs such a popular face, who can take all the leaders along and can also garner public support.
Virbhadra Singh was such a face in the politics of Himachal, who gave power to the Congress many times on his own. As soon as the election was announced, Virbhadra Singh’s tour started in all the assembly circles. His influence was so great that even the shortcomings of the party were hidden in front of his stature. Its hallmark was clearly visible in the by-election of Mandi parliamentary constituency.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP won this seat by a margin of over 4 lakh votes. Virbhadra Singh’s wife Pratibha Singh was elected MP from here in the by-election last year. The ruling BJP had to face the loss in the home district of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, but this face is now sorely missed.