Virbhadra by his side, Ashray files papers

Tribune News Service

Mandi, April 25

Settings aside all speculation about his presence at filing of nomination by Congress candidate Ashray Sharma, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh gave a major impetus to the party’s campaign as he shared dais with his once bête noire Sukh Ram here today.

The Congress sent a strong signal that the party was fully united and all leaders were working in unison to ensure the Congress victory from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat which happens to be the home turf of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Ashray Sharma, grandson of Sukh Ram, filed his nomination papers from Mandi in the presence of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, former Union minister Anand Sharma, AICC in charge Rajni Patil and state Congress president Kuldeep Rathore.

It was after several years that Virbhadra and Sukh Ram, once political foes, shared the dais as jubilant party workers cheered the two stalwarts. Later, the leaders addressed a huge public meeting at Seri Manch. Virbhadra Singh, who had represented the Mandi parliamentary segment thrice in 1971, 1980 and 2009, urged voters to support Congress candidate Ashray to ensure his win.

“For intelligent people, indication is sufficient. Earlier, all Congress leaders have detailed about the failures of the BJP and I do not wish to repeat the same,” he said in his a brief speech.

He said he was familiar with Mandi which he had represented thrice and ensured its development as six-time Chief Minister.

Ashray also heaped praise on Virbhadra, while seeking his blessings. Rajni Patil and Anand Sharma lambasted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over inflation, unemployment, demonetisation and Rafale deal.

Kuldeep Rathore warned Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti against use of abusive and derogatory language. “The remarks made by Satti are condemnable and does the BJP think that the Congress will silently keep taking these repeated insults without retaliating. But the Congress believes in dignity and non violence”, he said.

He said the Congress was fully united to defeat the BJP. He urged the party workers to put in their might to ensure the Congress victory for a young and dynamic candidate who has a political legacy behind him.

Sukh Ram gets emotional, praises Virbhadra

• Sukh Ram gets emotional, praises Virbhadra Singh
• Former Telecommunication Minister Sukh Ram made an emotional appeal seeking votes for his grandson. He showered praise on his arch rival Virbhadra and termed him a “Vikas Purush”. Overcome with emotions, he choked several times while speaking. 
• “I went to meet Virbhadra in Delhi and sought apology from him if I had annoyed him ever in past,” he said.

Anil sharma gives function a miss

Former Power Minister and BJP MLA from Mandi Sadar Anil Sharma was conspicuous by his absence. Anil, Ashray’s father and Sukh Ram’s son, was obviously not present as being a BJP legislator he could not have attended the function. In fact, Sukh Ram said he was pained that Anil could not attend the first major function of his son’s electoral debut. However, Ashray’s mother Sunita Sharma was seated on the dais in the first row.