Congress candidate Aashray Sharma, on Thursday, filed his nomination papers for Mandi Lok Sabha constituency at an elaborate ceremony attended by top leaders of the party. Former CM Virbhadra Singh and former Union telecom minister Pandit Sukh Ram, who could be seen displaying bonhomie and hugging each other, became the talk of the town for sharing the stage after 5 years.

Virbhadra Singh and Sukh Ram, who, for years, were known for bitter political rivalry, seem to have buried the hatchet, a development which will surely give BJP candidate Ram Swaroop Sharma sleepless nights in coming days. Sharma is facing anti-incumbency while Virbhadra Singh and Sukh Ram are popular leaders in the Mandi district and still hold sawy over voters.

Virbhadra Singh while addressing a gathering at Seri Manch in Mandi, on Thursday, said, “Let us forget the past and unite to win elections. I thank all the party workers gathered here in huge numbers. I pray for a historic win for Aashray Sharma.”

An emotional Sukh Ram told the gathering how even though he had won nine out of 10 assembly seats in Mandi for BJP in 2017 assembly elections, the party refused a ticket to his grand son Aashray. Sukh Ram also conveyed regret that his son Anil Sharma was not campaigning for his grand son. Anil Sharma, who recently resigned from power minister portfolio in BJP-led state government, announced he would not campaign for BJP in Mandi LS constituency against his son Aashray, who is now a Congress candidate.

On the occasion Aashray said he wished to become political leader like Virbhadra Singh and would leave no stone unturned to fulfill his commitment to the people of the state if he won.

Congress leader Anand Sharma and Kaul Singh said BJP leaders are following in the footsteps of their mentor PM Narendra Modi and misleading voters through deceit and cunningness. “Instead of issuing a new manifesto of false promises, PM Modi should show a report card of his five-year term achievements and a letter of apology to people who suffered during demonetisation. Pm should apologise to families who lost their kin while queuing outside banks to get a little of their own hard-earned money lying in banks,” said Anand Sharma.

Congress state president Kuldeep Singh Rathore said when appointing him party chief, party national president Rahul Gandhi assigned him the duty of uniting the party. He said he had fulfilled his duty as all party worker, from top leaders to grass root workers, have gathered at one place to bless Aashray Sharma.

Congress party state political affairs in-charge MP Rajani Patil lashed out heavily on BJP state president Satpal Singh Satti, saying that atrocious language used by hime and other BJP leaders is the example of their frustration of losing elections. “But it is not their fault alone. When their mentor Modi uses degrading language against opponents, then followers would naturally go one step ahead and use filthier language,” she added.

Also Read | Issues, key players and more on Himachal Pradesh

First Published: Apr 26, 2019 14:46 IST