Anand Sharma Asserts Local Ties, But Congress Leaders Missing in Action
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Dharamshala: Amidst the fervor of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, former Union Minister Anand Sharma took center stage with his inaugural press conference for the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing the media on Saturday, Sharma reiterated his deep-seated connection to the region, a sentiment he had previously shared at Kangra airport on Friday.
“I cherish the memories of visiting this place during Navratris,” Sharma reminisced, underscoring the spiritual significance that strikes a chord with countless Hindu families.
Despite being fielded as the Congress candidate for the elections, Sharma faces the formidable task of uniting diverse factions, given his perceived outsider status in Kangra’s political landscape.
However, conspicuous by their absence were several prominent Congress leaders at Sharma’s press conference, held at a private hotel near Sheela Chowk. Notably, RS Bali, a sitting Congress MLA and cabinet member, and young cabinet minister Yadvinder Goma were noticeably absent. The absence of leaders vying for by-election tickets in Dharamshala further underscored the void.
In a bid to showcase local Congress representation, figures like Sanjeev Gandhi and Puneet Malli were present. The event also saw the participation of MLA Kishori Lal, Kewal Pathania, cabinet minister Chaudhary Chander Kumar, Chief Parliamentary Ashish Butail, MLA Malinder Rajan, senior Congress leader Biplove Thakur, and MLA Sanjay Rattan.
While Sharma’s press conference aimed to reinforce his roots in the region and talk about national issues, the absence of key party figures raises questions about the internal dynamics within the Congress camp.
