Hamirpur (S Gopal Puri)
A grand event in Sujanpur constituency on Wednesday took a political twist when a large section of the audience left after BJP MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur concluded his speech and departed for a scheduled flight to Delhi. The incident raised eyebrows and sparked political debates across Himachal Pradesh.
Organized by the Sarv Kalyankari Trust and the Ex-Servicemen League, the event coincided with Army Day and was meant to honor ex-servicemen and their families. The gathering saw an impressive turnout, with prominent leaders including Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, a dozen MLAs, former legislators, and Anurag Thakur in attendance. Adding charm to the event was a performance by the Himachal Police band, Harmony of the Pines.
However, the spotlight soon shifted to the aftermath of Anurag Thakur’s speech. He ended his address with an apology for his early departure due to a flight, after which the crowd began to disperse. By the time Jairam Thakur, the Leader of the Opposition, took the stage, many seats were empty, triggering sharp reactions from Congress leaders.
Congress Takes a Jab
Congress leaders were quick to criticize the situation, claiming that BJP MLA Rajinder Rana, who had mobilized a massive crowd for the event, has lost public trust. They alleged that his inability to retain the audience was a sign of waning influence. A Congress spokesperson remarked, “This clearly shows that Rajinder Rana has no public connect, and even BJP supporters in the region are disillusioned with him.”
Rift in the BJP?
Political murmurs suggest internal discord within the BJP. Sujanpur is the home turf of former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, and many locals reportedly harbor lingering resentment over past political decisions. Rajinder Rana, once a close associate of Dhumal and a staunch BJP supporter, defected to the Congress after an alleged fallout. After rejoining the BJP recently, Rana contested and lost the by-elections, further denting his political credibility.
Insiders also point relations between Rajinder Rana and Sudhir Sharma, both of whom are known adversaries of the sitting Congress Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. This event has now provided fresh ammunition to the Congress, which is using the incident to question Rana’s standing within the BJP and among voters.
A Show of Strength or a Weak Link?
While BJP leaders attempted to project the event as a show of strength, the public walkout after Anurag Thakur’s speech tells a different story. The incident has fueled speculation about internal cracks within the BJP and the effectiveness of its local leaders in maintaining the party’s stronghold.
For Congress, this episode is a political windfall, enabling them to target BJP’s leadership in Sujanpur and beyond. As the political storm brews, it remains to be seen how the BJP will manage the narrative and whether it can effectively counter the Congress’s criticism.
