SHIMLA/MANDI: The Mandi Lok Sabha election is gearing up for a clash that's capturing national attention.
The Congress is considering fielding Vikramaditya Singh, son of the late six-time CM Raja Virbhadra Singh, against Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut, making the race one to watch.
Singh along with PCC President and his mother Pratibha Singh had met with Sonia Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi recently giving rise to speculation that Vikramaditya could be fielded against Kangana Ranaut as Pratibha Singh had refused to contest as reported earlier.
Vikramaditya Singh is young now knows the rules of game of politics and is street smart youth icon and talks sense and know how to lead and deliver to the aspirational public.
He inherites the royal legacy snd mass appeal of his father late Virbhadra Singh who has taught him the state craft and chanakaya Niti.
There were also talks that Jagat Singh Negi, a tribal leader could be the candidate from the Congress citing mobilisation of tribal voters in a big way, but their number fall short considering the population dynamics of the voters in Mandi Lok Sabha.
Vikramaditya Singh, carrying the legacy of his family, is emphasizing his religious devotion. He recently visited Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir's Pran Pratishta ceremony, an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kangana Ranaut as well. Singh's pilgrimage underscores his religious ties and aligns him with the ruling party's narrative.
Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut, known for her Bollywood stardom, has stepped into politics with fervor.
Her vocal support for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has earned her praise from the right-wing, but her remarks often court controversy.
One such controversy arose from her comments on historical figures.
Ranaut stirred debate by referring to Subhash Chandra Bose as the first Prime Minister of India, challenging the conventional narrative. She had a point in that Bose was PM of Akhand Bharat in October 1943, when Bose constituted his Azad Hind Government in Singapore, which was recognized by 11 nations including Soviet Union.
But India gained freedom on August 15, 1947 after "Akhand Bharat" was partitioned into India and Pakistan and Pt Nehru became the first PM of India as we know it today.
Her remarks on India's independence and her assertion that the country truly gained freedom after Prime Minister Modi's election in 2014 have further fueled the controversy.
People are finding themselves hard to be identified with this Bollywood queen for what is being termed a gross distortion of historical facts.
But Kangana fits into the RSS gameplan and she has emerged as its popular brand Ambassador of its Akhand Bharat narrative.
Grand son of Subhash Candra Bose, Chandra Bose had slammed Kangana for distorting historical facts and using name of his grandfather to pit him with Nehru and Gandhi.
The clash between Singh and Ranaut reflects more than just political differences; it's a clash of personalities. Singh's family history contrasts sharply with Ranaut's Bollywood fame. Each candidate represents a different vision for Mandi's future.
However, Ranaut's journey into politics has faced obstacles. Her provocative statements and legal battles have drawn criticism, even from within the BJP.
As the election nears, Mandi becomes the battleground for these two narratives.
The outcome will not only impact Mandi but will reverberate across the nation. It's shaping up to be one of the most closely watched elections in recent memory.
