Shimla: Political Showdown Looms as BJP Nominates Harsh Mahajan for Rajya Sabha Seat Against Abhishek Manu Singhvi of Congress.
In a bold political maneuver aimed at securing crucial support and weakening the opposition, the BJP has nominated Harsh Mahajan for the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh.
Mahajan, a former stalwart of the Congress party, brings with him a legacy of political experience, having served as the working president of Congress and as an animal husbandry minister in the previous Virbhadra Singh government.
Mahajan filed nomination today in the presence of leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, BJP president Dr Rajeev Bindal and other BJP leaders in the Vidhan Sabha today.
The BJP's decision to field Mahajan is strategic, seeking to capitalize on his defection from the Congress ranks and his deep-rooted connections within the state.
His candidacy sets the stage for a fierce electoral battle, as he squares off against the formidable Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a legal luminary and prominent figure and spokesperson of Congress.
Harsh Mahajan is a Dharti Putra while Singhivi is an outsider and BJP will fan out these sentiments among people in the coming elections.
Singhvi, who filed his nomination amidst a gathering of senior Congress leaders including Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and party in-charge for Himachal affairs Rajeev Shukla, Hp president Pratibha Singh faces a challenging contest ahead.
The BJP, eyeing potential support from "dissident Congress MLAs", aims to disrupt the Congress unity.
With the election slated for February 27, both parties are intensifying their efforts to sway legislators in their favor.
The BJP, buoyed by its 26 sitting legislators in the Vidhan Sabha, is strategically targeting at least 8 votes from either defections or abstentions.
Mahajan's previous tenure as a three-time Congress MLA and his continued influence within the party's grassroots add further intrigue to the electoral dynamics.
Moreover, speculations abound regarding the BJP's future political moves in Himachal Pradesh, with hints of Mahajan emerging as a potential candidate for the Kangra Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections.
This strategic deployment of Mahajan, once a key Congress figure, underscores the BJP's determination to consolidate its position in the state.
Harsh Mahajan expressed his gratitude towards his new party and criticized the Congress for its handling of internal affairs.
Mahajan said he has received respect and recognition since joining the BJP.
He expressed his eagerness to serve the people of Himachal Pradesh and the nation, considering this opportunity as a significant milestone in his political journey.
Acknowledging his nomination by the BJP, Mahajan extended his thanks to party leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda, Jai Ram Thakur and Dr Bindal for considering him worthy of the candidature.
Regarding his defection from the Congress, Mahajan dismissed allegations of personal vendetta, asserting that his decision was based on his belief in the BJP's vision and principles.
He emphasized that his transition occurred before the election process commenced, indicating his commitment to the BJP's ideology.
Meanwhile, Jai Ram Thakur echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding the suitability of candidates for the Rajya Sabha.
In his criticism of the Congress, he highlighted the party's neglect of regional aspirations in Himachal Pradesh.
He accused the Congress of ignoring deserving candidates within the state and criticized its choice of Abhishek Manu Singhvi for the Rajya Sabha seat, citing conflicts of interest related to ongoing legal cases.
He underscored the limited number of seats available in Himachal Pradesh and criticized the Congress for allegedly disregarding the state's interests in favor of personal agendas.
The the stage is set for a high-stakes political showdown.
