The centuries old town, Mandi, once an independent sovereign Mandi state before Independence, is currently crying for its survival. The town is facing a grave threat to its grand cultural heritage of the past six centuries.
Paradoxically it is being openly alleged that the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, himself a former ruler, is responsible for decimating the heritage town for taking revenge for the defeat of his wife Pratibha Singh from the Mandi Parliamentary seat.
Jawahar Singh Thakur, who is contesting Darang Vidhan Sabha seat against Health Minister, Thakur Kaul Singh as Congress candidate and the state media in charge are among many others who hold the Raja responsible for by-passing the historic heritage town from the national highway network of four-laning highway connecting international tourists spot Manali via Mandi town.
Many civil engineers and NHAI experts are of the opinion that it was feasible to include Mandi town in the national network of the national highways. But, Mandi town was ignored with alleged mala-fide intention. It is an open secret that some rich and resourceful people managed to change the course of NH which suited them the best.
The Chief Minister was so much upset with the defeat of his wife from Mandi seat that he had even lashed out at senior party leaders like Sukh Ram ( who has now joined BJP) at that time.
It is a stark fact that both Sukh Ram and his son Anil Sharma, cabinet minister had been canvassing vigorously for Congress candidate Pratibha Singh.
It is alleged that following the defeat, Himachal became the victim of by-passing Mandi town from the national highway network.
Notably, the state had
witnessed polling percentage of 76 percent, the largest since Independence during the polling day on November 9 and it is said to be a death signal for the ruling Congress which was hoping to form a Government again in the hill state.