Vikramaditya Singh, a prominent figure in the Congress known for his recent dissent against the party leadership in Himachal Pradesh, is poised to challenge BJP’s Kangana Ranaut in a crucial battle for the Mandi constituency. This showdown between the scion of Himachal Pradesh’s former chief minister, Virbhadra Singh, and the Bollywood icon is shaping up to be a riveting political spectacle.
The Congress’s decision to nominate Singh, aged 35, reflects a strategic manoeuvre, as he steps in to replace his mother, sitting MP Pratibha Singh. Meanwhile, in another electoral arena, Manish Tewari has been selected to contest from Chandigarh, where he will face BJP’s Sanjay Tandon, who succeeds the incumbent MP Kirron Kher.
Even before Singh’s candidacy was confirmed, the anticipation for the Mandi face-off had escalated, fueled by Kangana Ranaut’s reference to him as ‘Chhota pappu’. In response, Singh expressed his hope for divine guidance to enlighten the actress.
The political discourse between the contenders has already sparked, with Singh branding Ranaut as the “queen of controversy” and questioning her understanding of Himachal Pradesh’s issues. Ranaut, in turn, emphasized the transformative vision of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Hailing from the lineage of the erstwhile Bhushar estate, now Rampur, Singh carries a legacy intertwined with the region’s history. As the electoral battleground heats up, this clash captures the essence of Himachal Pradesh’s political dynamics.
With the Lok Sabha elections looming, concurrent with the polls for six vacant Assembly seats on June 1, Himachal Pradesh braces for an intense contest. The BJP’s previous electoral success in the state in 2019 sets the stage for an intriguing narrative, with the outcome eagerly anticipated on June 4.
