Dharamshala: Sudhir Sharma, the sitting MLA from Dharamshala who last year switched from the Congress to the BJP following a fallout with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, appears to be making concerted efforts to align himself closely with Hamirpur MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
Despite changing parties, Sudhir Sharma had retained his seat in the Assembly, a feat he now seems eager to consolidate in his new party as Anurag could be among the frontrunners for the Chief Minister’s post in Himachal in the future.
From receiving Anurag Thakur at Kangra’s Gaggal airport, to attending functions beyond his constituency and even visiting the firebrand saffron leader’s ancestral home in Samirpur, Sudhir’s gestures reflect a clear intent to strengthen ties with the influential BJP leader.
On April 10, Sharma made a special appearance at the Gaggal airport to welcome Anurag, who was arriving in Himachal from Delhi. “Today, welcomed sitting MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur at Gaggal airport,” Sudhir wrote in a Facebook post shared with his 5.48 lakh followers.
Later the same day, he visited Samirpur in Hamirpur district to personally wish Anurag’s father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, on his 81st birthday. Dhumal is a two-time former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Notably, Sudhir had also visited Samirpur for Dhumal’s birthday last year.
On April 11, Sudhir accompanied Anurag to the home of former Nagrota Bagwan MLA Arun Kumar Kuka Mehra following the wedding of Mehra’s daughter. Later that day, both attended the retirement ceremony of Babita Sharma, wife of Ghanshyam Sharma, former Vice-Chairman of the Employees, Pensioners & Labour Welfare Board, at Panchrukhi in Kangra.
While Sudhir has been seen engaging with other BJP leaders too, Anurag stands out prominently in his social media posts. Analysts view it as a strategic alignment with the Anurag faction of the BJP, possibly aimed at securing a stronger footing within the party.
Interestingly, on April 10, Sudhir also accompanied Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to the residence of Vishal Nehria, former BJP MLA from Dharamshala, for congratulating him on his recent marriage. Both Anurag and Jai Ram had shared the dais in Delhi on March 23, 2024, when Sudhir formally ended his long association with the Congress and joined the BJP.
Sunil Chadha
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