This multi-millionaire locks horns with BJP heavyweight

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 3

Prakash Prem Rana, 55, a multi-millionaire, flew in his chopper from Saudi Arabia and landed at his helipad in his palatial house at his native Golwan village in Jogindernagar in April.

Rana has created a political flutter at Jogindernagar in Mandi and on the social media. He is contesting as an Independent taking on the might of seven-time BJP MLA Gulab Singh Thakur, a relative of former Chief Minister PK Dhumal and father-in-law of Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur. Congress newcomer Jivan Thakur, a lawyer, who had defeated Gulab Singh’s son Somender Thakur in the last Zila Parishad election, and CPM Kushal Bhardwaj are also in the fray.

Rana has hopped in and hopped out of his chopper since April with his wife and four children and organised a JPL cricket league in Jogindernagar to woo the local youths. His palatial house, a chopper, a fleet of cars, including a Mercedes, a Toyota Fortuner and others, leave an impression among local villagers when he claims that he is here to serve people, not to make money, fulfilling the dream of his father, late Prem Rana, who had retired as a humble babu. Rana had gone as a worker in 1985 and earned a huge wealth. But an HP board matriculate, Rana, in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India, states that sources of his and spouse income are general consultancy and interests from money he has in banks.

As per his affidavit, he has Rs 16.9 crore as movable assets Rs 3.91 crore immovable assets. Rana flaunted his “money power” during nominations when Jogindernagar witnessed a traffic jam.

Clad in a white kurta pyjama, Rana speaks pure Mandiyali dialect, goes from village to village and talk to Mahila Mandals and temple committees to woo the villagers. He also promised to help the mandals and committees. His supporters raise “Jogindernagar ka neta kaisa ho, Prakash Rana jaisa ho.”

Rana in a convoy of local taxis and private vehicles to go to far-off places to address meetings and nukkad sabhas. He said Jogindernagar became backward for which Gulab Singh was to be blamed as he ruled on it for seven times.

Campaign in style

Clad in a white kurta pyjama, Rana speaks pure Mandiyali dialect, goes from village to village and talks to Mahila Mandals and temple committees. His supporters raise “ Jogindernagar ka neta kaisa ho, Prakash Rana jaisa ho.” Rana in a convoy of local taxis and private vehicles go to far-off places to address meetings and nukkad sabhas. He blames Gulab Singh, who won the seat seven times, for the neglect of the area.