Himachal byelections: Congress may again bet on Hardeep Bawa in Nalagarh, these are top contenders for other 2 seats

 CM Sukhu to visit Delhi today to discuss candidates with high command

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will be visiting Delhi on Friday (June 14, 2024) to hold discussions with the Congress high command regarding the selection of candidates for the July 10 by-elections in Nalagarh, Dehra and Hamirpur Assembly constituencies.

The bypolls have been necessitated after the resignation of Independent MLAs Krishan Lal Thakur (Nalagarh), Hoshyar Singh (Dehra) and Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur). The trio gave up their legislative membership to join the BJP, which has fielded the three to defend their old seats.

Sources close to the Chief Minister have indicated that the re-nomination of Hardeep Bawa, who had lost to Krishan Lal Thakur by 13,264 votes in the 2022 Assembly elections in Nalagarh, was highly probable. However, panels comprising potential candidates have been compiled to deliberate on nominees for the Dehra and Hamirpur constituencies.

It is anticipated that following discussions with the high command on Friday, the finalised list of Congress candidates for all three constituencies will be unveiled within the next two to three days.

Of particular note is the heightened interest in securing the Congress ticket from Hamirpur, the Chief Minister’s home district, where a multitude of aspirants have emerged. Among the prominent contenders are former MLA Anita Verma, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank president Kuldeep Pathania, former candidate Dr Pushpendra Verma, Rajiv Rana and the Chief Minister’s political adviser Sunil Kumar Bittu. Dr Pushpendra Verma had lost to Ashish Sharma by 12,899 votes in the last election.

From Dehra, the names of former contender Dr Rajesh Sharma, who had lost by 3,877 votes to Hoshyar Singh last time, and Nardev Kanwar are under consideration. Additional contenders are also being explored for this constituency.

Prior to finalising the party’s candidates, consultations will be conducted with block Congress committees, district officials and senior leaders from the three Assembly constituencies. Upon his return from Delhi, Chief Minister Sukhu is expected to submit his report to the high command after meetings with Congress state president Pratibha Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri. Subsequently, the final decisions regarding the candidates will be made.