SHIMLA: Congress has announced its candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Himachal Pradesh. Vikramaditya Singh, the current PWD Minister of Himachal Pradesh, will be contesting from the Mandi constituency, while Vinod Sultanpuri has been fielded from the reserved Shimla Lok Sabha seat.
This decision sets the stage for an intriguing battle, particularly in the Mandi constituency, where Vikramaditya Singh will face off against Bollywood actress and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut.
"Let the resounding voice of Himachal resonate powerfully in Delhi, heralding comprehensive development across our beloved state. Together, let's strive for One Himachal, the epitome of excellence. Hail Lord Ram", says Vikramaditya Singh after he was announced as candidate from Mandi.
Kangana has already embarked on her campaign across the Mandi parliamentary constituency, adding to the anticipation surrounding this electoral contest.
Meanwhile, Vinod Sultanpuri will be challenging the incumbent BJP Lok Sabha MP, Suresh Kashyap, in the Shimla constituency.
While Suresh Kashyap hails from the Sirmaur district, Vinod Sultanpuri comes from Solan district.
Vikramaditya Singh, son of the six-time Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh and presently serving as the Public Works Department Minister in the Sukhu government, is seen as a formidable candidate.
He has been actively engaged in verbal sparring with Kangana Ranaut for the past ten days, setting the stage for an intense electoral battle.
Backed by the widespread support enjoyed by his family across Mandi, Kullu, and the tribal constituencies of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Bharmaur, Vikramaditya holds an advantage, particularly in the Rampur Reserve Assembly constituency, erstwhile bastion of the former Bushair kings, whose present scion is Singh.
His mother, Pratibha Singh, who is the president of the state Congress and the sitting Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, further adds to his political clout.
On the other hand, Kangana Ranaut is banking on her Bollywood glamour and controversial statements against Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Vikramaditya Singh, to bolster her appeal among voters.
She has an advantage as BJP holds sway on eight out nine assembly seats won by the party in 2022 state assembly elections.
Leader of opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur, who represents Seraj segment, is leaving stone unturned as Kangana is a parachute candidate enjoying support of PM Narendra Modi.
The stakes for Jai Ram Thakur are as high as that for the PM.
However, reports suggest that she is facing challenges in connecting with BJP workers due to perceived inaccessibility and security concerns.
As the election campaign gains momentum, all eyes will be on the Mandi where these high-profile candidates are set to battle it out for electoral supremacy.
