Sourabh Sood
DHARAMSHALA: A mild morning sun, quiet hill streets and walking with no entourage, no flashing beacons and no security drama — Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu once again slipped into his now-familiar “common man CM” mode on Thursday (November 27, 2025).
Strolling through the lanes of Dharamshala, the Himachal CM was seen chatting with pedestrians, students and shopkeepers, much like he does during his unscripted outings in Shimla.
The sight drew instant attention across the town, with many residents pausing to take note of the unusual informality. Sukhu’s low-key public interactions have become a talking point in recent months, fuelling conversations about whether this people-centric style is part of a larger political messaging strategy.
Deliberate image, but is it working?
While Sukhu’s walkabouts are earning him visibility and a certain easy connect with locals, the real test of this “people’s CM” persona lies ahead. Will it translate into votes?
That answer, political circles say, will only be revealed in the upcoming panchayati raj and urban local body elections, which are themselves the subject of an increasingly heated debate inside the Assembly. With the Opposition pressing for early polls and the government keeping its cards close to its chest, the timing remains as politically charged as the outcome.
