Will Himachal CM Sukhu’s confidant Satpal Raizada take on BJP’s Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat?
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TNR Desk
With the bugle for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections all set to be sounded, the parliamentary constituency of Hamirpur seems to be gearing up for an intense political battle. The Congress, which is in power in the state, is considering fielding former Una MLA Satpal Raizada against BJP’s formidable candidate and Union Minister Anurag Thakur.
With the BJP already announcing over 270 candidates nationwide, including their candidate for the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, Anurag Thakur, for the fifth consecutive term, all eyes are on Congress’s strategy in response.
Constituency with BJP for 8 terms
The Congress has been eyeing a potential contender in the form of Satpal Raizada from Una district. Raizada, hailing from the Rajput community and known for his allegiance to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, presents a strong candidate profile. His previous electoral performance, though a loss to BJP’s Satpal Singh Satti in the Una Sadar Assembly constituency in 2022, underscores his electoral prowess.
Raizada had defeated his rival Satpal Singh Satti, who was then the BJP state president and three-term sitting MLA, by 3,196 votes in the 2017 elections. The Congress sees Raizada as a viable candidate to challenge BJP’s historical dominance in the region.
Home seat of CM, Deputy CM
The Hamirpur parliamentary constituency has long been a stronghold for the BJP, with the party securing victory in the last eight consecutive elections. Notable leaders such as Anurag Thakur, Prem Kumar Dhumal and Suresh Chandel have represented the seat, posing a significant challenge for the Congress.
However, with Himachal Chief Minister Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri’s home districts Hamirpur and Una within the constituency, the Congress aims to mount a formidable challenge.
