Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu is all set to kickstart his campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Monday (April 1). With the seventh and final phase of elections in Himachal Pradesh set for June 1, there are two months remaining for the electoral battle to unfold across the hill state.
Sukhu’s decision to commence campaigning early underscores the significance of the upcoming elections and the need to galvanize public support for the Congress party, which is, as of now, facing worst political crisis in the state, with its six sitting legislators already shifting their loyalties towards the BJP.
Along with the general elections to four Lok Sabha constituencies, byelections will also be held for the six assembly segments which fall vacant following the defection of six Congress MLAs to BJP. With the political landscape heating up, both the ruling party and the Opposition are leaving no stone unturned to secure victory in what promises to be a closely-contested electoral battle.
BJP has already announced candidates for all four Lok Sabha and six Vidhan Sabha constituencies fielding Bollywood “Queen” Kangna Ranaut from Mandi, giving boost to its campaign.
Amidst the electoral fervour, a fierce political exchange is already underway between the ruling party and the opposition. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, a day before, had taken aim at the BJP leaders and defectors from the Congress party, accusing them of prioritizing personal interests over the people’s welfare.
Sukhu stressed that the citizens are closely observing these actions driven by personal gain and vowed that their response would be evident in due time.
Chief Minister Sukhu also emphasized the accountability of elected representatives, highlighting their responsibility over the course of five years. He condemned the practice of political defection, commonly referred to as ‘Aaya Ram-Gaya Ram’, stating that it undermines the democratic mandate and duty entrusted to elected officials.
At the same time, Sukhu criticized those who engaged in horse-trading for their own interests, disregarding the welfare of the public and eroding democratic principles. He warned that such actions, driven by greed and self-interest, impose a heavy burden on the electorate by forcing unnecessary re-elections and subverting the democratic process.
