Dharamsala By-Election Heats Up with High-Profile Nominations and Internal Party Tensions

Dharamsala By-Election Heats Up with High-Profile Nominations and Internal Party Tensions

 Dharamsala (Arvind Sharma) 22/5/24

Recently, the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh has been shaken by the Rajya Sabha elections, where six Congress MLAs defected to the BJP, subsequently securing BJP nominations for the upcoming by-elections. Among these defectors is former minister Sudhir Sharma, who has been fielded by the BJP for the Dharamsala assembly seat.

Sudhir Sharma, who initially rose to prominence by winning the Dharamsala seat in 2012 and serving as a minister, lost to BJP’s Kishan Kapoor in 2017 and did not contest in the 2019 by-elections. Now, he is back in the fray, with BJP counting on his experience to reclaim the seat. Accompanying Sharma during his nomination was Union Information Broadcasting and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur.

Meanwhile, the Congress has nominated Devendra Jaggi, a former mayor and a close associate of Sharma, as their candidate. This election has garnered significant attention, as the BJP faces internal dissent with former candidate Rakesh Chaudhary running as an independent. Chaudhary had polled significant votes as an independent in 2019 and had later aligned with the BJP, only to rebel after Sharma’s nomination.

Anurag Thakur, speaking at a public meeting post-nomination, praised Sharma and highlighted his potential to drive development in Dharamsala. He also criticized Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s government, comparing it to a film that flops midway through its run.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, supporting Devendra Jaggi, launched a scathing attack on the defected MLAs, accusing them of selling out for personal gain. Sukhu emphasized the importance of entering politics with a spirit of service, condemning the betrayal of public trust by those switching parties for personal benefit.

The Dharamsala assembly by-election has now become a hotly contested battle with four main contenders: Sudhir Sharma (BJP), Devendra Singh Jaggi (Congress), Satish Kumar (Independent), and Rakesh Kumar (Independent). Political analysts suggest that Jaggi could benefit from the BJP’s internal rifts and the backlash against Sharma’s candidature.

Tensions within the BJP are palpable, with notable figures like former candidate Kishan Kapoor and Vishal Nehria expressing dissatisfaction with Sharma’s nomination, though not openly. This internal discord adds another layer of complexity to the by-election.

Rakesh Chaudhary, representing a significant OBC vote bank in Dharamsala, has expressed his frustration with the BJP’s decision, feeling sidelined despite his past contributions. Nevertheless, he remains committed to his supporters and is determined to fight for their interests as an independent candidate.

The by-elections for six assembly seats, including Dharamsala, are scheduled to coincide with the parliamentary elections in four constituencies on June 1, with results expected on June 4. This high-stakes political drama underscores the volatility and unpredictability of the current electoral landscape in Himachal Pradesh.