KEYLONG/SHIMLA: In a stirring address to a packed audience in Lahaul, Anuradha Rana, a firebrand young tribal leader, who has proved her political prowess as chairperson of Zila Parishad has emerged as a strong contender for the Congress ticket from Lahaul-Spiti constituency.
She has not only showcased her determination to take on BJP's Ravi Thakur, a Congress defector, but she has clarity about what Congress needs to do in Lahaul-Spiti.
Her leadership quality and wide support is discernible from the fact that people supporting her have pleaded to the Congress that they would go for crowd funding as she does not have money to fund her elections in case she is chosen as a Congress candidate.
Hailing from Teiling village in Lahaul-Spiti, Rana, despite her humble beginnings, has risen to prominence through her education and clear stance on tribal issues and ethos of the party.
Addressing the gathering, which included Congress observers led by Revenue Minister Jagat Negi and Kullu MLA Sundar Singh Thakur, Rana delivered an impactful fluent speech with clearcut ideas, drawing strong support, especially from women, old and the young.
"Today, I believe it's our best opportunity to erase a stigma Ravi Thakur has cast on the people of Lahaul-Spiti and unite against the turncoat politics that has plagued our state recently", declared Rana, emphasizing the need for unity within the Congress ranks to defeat a turncoat Thakur.
This meeting here today followed after the delegation of people from Lahaul-Spiti met with the CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla and pleaded the case of Anuradha Rana as a formidable candidate against Ravi Thakur.
But how PCC President Pratibha Singh, Mandi Lok Sabha MP would respond to the call of people of Lahaul-Spiti, remains to be seen. But being a woman Pratibha Singh would support her and she can team up with Anuradha and her support to mobilize tribal voters in a big way.
The people supporting Congress are opposing the allotment of ticket to the former BJP MLA Dr Ram Lal Markande as he had wished to contest against Ravi Thakur whether as an Independent or on Congress ticket.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by Thakur's widespread influence, particularly among the Buddhist community, Rana exuded confidence in her ability to connect with the people and address their concerns effectively.
"We will not succumb to turncoat politics. Our strength lies in our unity," proclaimed Rana, urging her fellow party members to stand firm against divisive forces.
Rana's impassioned speech garnered applause from the audience, signaling her potential to mount a formidable challenge against Thakur.
"I urge all present here to rally behind our party's ideology and work towards securing victory in the upcoming elections- both Lok Sabha and by-election," Rana urged, rallying support from the crowd.
With her resolute stance and clarity of vision, Anuradha Rana emerges as a promising leader for Congress in Lahaul-Spiti, who can take on the might of BJP's Ravi Thakur in the electoral arena.
The party might have its own reservation as Anuradha Rana despite her mettle as leader may not fit into Congress giving more weightage to money power, for Rana comes from a humble social background.
Congress needs to take an urgent call on this: Does party need "leaders" or "money bags"?
