S Gopal Puri
SHIMLA
In the volatile corridors of Himachal Pradesh politics, a single social media post can carry the weight of a thousand ballots.
The latest political tremor has been triggered by a seemingly cordial photograph shared by Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh, son of the legendary former CM Virbhadra Singh.
The photo features Singh alongside senior BJP leader and former minister Sarveen Chaudhary—the very woman who is the primary rival of sitting Congress MLA Kewal Singh Pathania in the Shahpur constituency.
For political observers, this is not just a cross-party pleasantry; it is a calculated move that has sent shockwaves through the Congress ranks, raising a piercing question: Why is the “Tikka Sahab” of Shimla Rural seemingly shaking hands with the enemy of his father’s most loyal soldier?
The Shahpur Math: A Hard-Won Victory
To understand the gravity of this meeting, one must look at the hard-fought battle of 2022.
After decades of political struggle and grassroots service, Kewal Singh Pathania—a staunch loyalist of the late Virbhadra Singh—finally breached the BJP stronghold of Shahpur.
Pathania didn’t just win; he dominated
In the 2022 Assembly elections, he secured 36,603 votes, defeating the BJP’s Sarveen Chaudhary by a substantial margin of 12,243 votes.
This victory was a cornerstone for the Congress in the Kangra district, and Pathania’s elevation to the post of Deputy Chief Whip was seen as a reward for his unwavering loyalty to the “Holly Lodge” (the Virbhadra family residence).
The “Loyalty” Paradox
The irony is palpable. Pathania spent his entire career in the shadow of Virbhadra Singh, defending the family’s interests in the politically sensitive Kangra belt. Now, Virbhadra’s son, Vikramaditya, is seen cozying up to Sarveen Chaudhary—the very leader Pathania worked for years to deconstruct.
By sharing this photo on his social media wall, analysts suggest Vikramaditya has dealt a “direct hit” to Pathania’s political standing.
With elections appearing on the horizon, such a public display of camaraderie with a rival candidate provides the BJP with much-needed ammunition and creates a perception of internal sabotage.
A Pattern of Rebellion?
This act comes at a delicate time for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government.
While the CM is actively promoting the “Sukh-Ashray” scheme—a flagship initiative providing state-sponsored shelter and “Children of the State” status to orphans—and pushing for Himachal’s financial independence, the party is internally bleeding.
Vikramaditya Singh’s frequent “rebel-adjacent” moves have long been a thorn in the side of the Congress leadership.
Whether it is his stance on bureaucratic appointments or his public meetings with opposition figures, Singh often projects an image of a leader who is “half-in, half-out” of the current administration.
“It looks like an intentional effort to weaken his own party’s candidate,” says a local political analyst based in Dharamshala.
“By legitimizing Sarveen Chaudhary in the public eye, he is effectively telling Pathania’s voters that the Congress high command (or at least the Virbhadra faction) doesn’t fully back their local MLA.”
The Stakes for Congress
The ruling Congress government is already facing a relentless offensive from the BJP on the ground. Despite the popular appeal of Sukhu’s social welfare programs, the BJP’s organizational machinery remains a formidable threat in Himachal.
If Vikramaditya Singh continues to flirt with the opposition’s local giants, the Congress risks:
Fracturing the Kangra Vote Bank: Kangra decides who forms the government in Shimla. Weakening Pathania in Shahpur could trigger a domino effect.
Demoralizing Loyalists: Leaders like Pathania, who stood by the family for decades, may feel abandoned, leading to a further shift in allegiances.
Signalling Weakness
A divided house is the BJP’s greatest advantage in a state where victory margins are often razor-thin.
As the political climate in the “Land of Gods” heats up, the question remains: Is Vikramaditya Singh playing a long-term game for the Chief Minister’s chair, even if it means burning the very bridges his father spent a lifetime building?
For Kewal Singh Pathania, the “blessing” of his mentor’s son has never felt more like a curse.
