Shimla, June 20
In Himachal Pradesh, a significant rebellion has emerged within the Congress party over the decision to nominate Kamlesh Thakur, wife of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, for the upcoming Dehra by-election. Dr. Rajesh Sharma, a doctor by profession and a prominent Congress leader who contested the Dehra seat in 2022, has expressed his deep frustration at being overlooked for the ticket. Dr. Sharma has accused CM Sukhu and other party leaders of intimidating him, threatening to shut down his business, and even suggesting potential harm to his children in Pune.
During a tearful meeting with his supporters, Dr. Sharma recounted being detained for nine hours at the CM’s official residence, Oak-Over in Shimla. The emotional stress of the situation took a toll on him, leading to dizziness and requiring medical attention at Civil Hospital Dehra. Despite these threats and pressures, Dr. Sharma has announced his intention to contest the election as an independent candidate if the party does not reconsider its decision.
CM Sukhu, defending the nomination of his wife, stated that the decision was made following directives from the party’s high command. He explained that during the previous Lok Sabha elections, there had been a push from the high command for his wife to contest, which he had resisted at that time. However, with the renewed directive, he felt compelled to comply, emphasizing that his wife’s candidacy is also rooted in her maternal ties to Dehra.
This decision has caused significant unrest within the local Congress ranks, as Dr. Sharma was widely considered a strong candidate, having previously contested from Dehra. He lamented that instead of being supported as the ‘Senapati’ (commander) of Dehra, the CM has chosen to field his ‘queen’ in a political maneuver. The unfolding drama highlights internal conflicts and the challenges of balancing party loyalty with local political dynamics. Give it a headline upto 7 words
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