S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: — A Facebook comment by senior BJP leader Sudhir Sharma, known as a political bete noire of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, has set off a buzz in Himachal Pradesh’s political circles.
On Sunday, BJP leader Hoshiar Singh from Dehra — who had earlier contested against Kamlesh Kumar, wife of CM Sukhu — shared a post featuring his participation in a local wrestling tournament. The seemingly routine social media update took on political overtones when Sharma responded with a poetic couplet in Hindi, invoking the words of celebrated poet Dinkar:
“ले लील भले यह धार मुझे,
लौटना नहीं स्वीकार मुझे।🏹
दिनकर जी
निरंतर संघर्ष में रहिये आप प्रदेश की सबसे बड़ी जंग लड़ने जा रहे हैं।”
The cryptic but evocative lines, essentially urging Singh to remain in “constant struggle” as he prepares for the “biggest battle in the state,” were widely interpreted as a political signal. Observers suggested it hinted at Singh’s possible positioning against the Chief Minister himself on the electoral battlefield.
The exchange quickly caught the attention of journalists, political commentators, and social activists, who debated its implications on Facebook and other platforms. Many users “liked” and reshared the post, further amplifying speculation about intra-party equations and the BJP’s strategy for Himachal Pradesh.
While both leaders refrained from elaborating further, the symbolism was not lost on political watchers. Hoshiar Singh, a familiar face in Dehra politics, has been viewed as a potential challenger in the Sukhu stronghold. Sharma, who has long had a contentious relationship with the Chief Minister, appeared to lend tacit support with his poetic endorsement.
The episode underscores the growing role of social media as a stage for political messaging in Himachal, where indirect remarks, symbolism, and cultural references often speak louder than formal statements.
As the state inches closer to a series of electoral contests, the subtle but pointed exchange between Sharma and Singh is being seen as more than mere literary flourish — rather, as a sign of brewing strategies within the BJP to directly take on Sukhu in his own bastion.
