5 BJP, Cong stalwarts come a cropper in Mandi LS seat

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, December 20

Five prominent leaders of the BJP and the Congress lost in Mandi parliamentary constituency in this Assembly election, which gave a clear message to the politicians that they can’t take public for granted.

In Mandi parliamentary constituency, prominent leaders of the BJP and the Congress lost the political battle in Mandi, Kullu and Chamba district Assembly segments.

Mandi parliamentary constituency have a total of 17 Assembly segments in six districts like Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur and Shimla. Out of total 17 Assembly segments, the Congress won only at three seats.

In Mandi district Congress stalwart and eight-time MLA from Darang Constituency Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur lost to BJP candidate Jawahar Thakur with a huge margin, while in Balh constituency Congress leader Excise and Taxation Minister Prakash Chaudhari lost the political battle to BJP candidate Inder Singh Gandhi.

In Jogindernagar constituency prominent BJP leader and former Minister Gulab Singh Thakur lost the election to new face and independent candidate Prem Prakash Rana, a businessman. Thakur was representing his constituency since 1977 and won seven elections.

In Kullu district prominent BJP leader Maheshwar Singh, scion of Kullu royal family, lost to Congress candidate Sunder Singh Thakur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed a public rally in Kullu.

Maheshwar Singh was a three-time MLA and three-time MP from Mandi parliamentary constituency. He defeated the then Congress stalwart leader and former Telecom Minister Pandit Sukh Ram and Congress leader Pratibha Singh, wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in Mandi parliamentary election.

In Chamba district at Bharmour segment Congress leader and Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri was defeated by BJP candidate Jiya Lal.

The reasons for defeat were many anti-incumbency, backstabbing within the party and poor public connect being the dominant ones.