The Newz Radar
MANDI: BJP candidate Ashish Sharma’s victory in the Hamirpur election has made it clear that Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, who lost the ministerial race in the Union cabinet recently, has the capability to lead his party to victory even in adverse conditions.
It is often observed that in any byelection, the ruling government usually wins, but Anurag Thakur proved his mettle by ensuring Ashish Sharma’s victory, indicating that he is a future leader in Himachal Pradesh whom the party can bet on for significant roles.
Winning this election was crucial for the BJP and Anurag Thakur because, prior to this, the BJP had faced defeats in Gagret, Sujanpur and Kutlehar, all falling within the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. Despite receiving a substantial number of votes in these areas during the parliamentary elections, the BJP saw opposite results in the Assembly byelections even though these were held concurrently.
This led to much introspection within the BJP after June 1, which was also a matter of concern for Anurag Thakur. He paid a high price for these defeats when Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not include him in his Cabinet, contrary to everyone’s expectations. Anurag, who was given significant ministries during Modi’s previous tenures and was considered very close to him, was surprisingly left out.
Political circles suggested that the BJP candidate’s victory in Hamirpur was crucial for Anurag Thakur’s political future, as he has been elected MP from Hamirpur five times and has a strong hold in the area. Although today’s victory is significant for Ashish Sharma, it is even more so for Anurag Thakur, as top BJP leaders were closely watching this seat, linking it to Anurag’s political future.
This victory could pave the way for Anurag’s inclusion in Modi’s future cabinet expansions, as Modi acknowledges Anurag’s capabilities and trusts him. Today’s win has elevated Anurag’s stature not just in Himachal Pradesh politics but also at the central level.
The Dhumal family has a significant influence in Hamirpur, and the people respect them. The victory has demonstrated that Anurag Thakur is a mature leader, held in high regard by the public, who wish to see him rise further in politics.
It is noteworthy that Hamirpur is the home district of the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, making this loss a personal setback for him. As Sukhu could not secure a victory for his candidate in his own district, it raises questions about his credibility. While the Congress may be celebrating victories in two other seats, the Dhumal family, especially Anurag, has shown that the people of Hamirpur still respect and honour them, believing that Anurag is the true future leader capable of transforming the region.
