Congress to Announce Rajya Sabha Candidate on Nomination Day

The Congress party is set to announce its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh during the nomination filing on March 5, 2024. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed this timeline while addressing the media on the eve of the Holi festival. The upcoming election is necessary as the term of BJP leader Indu Goswami, who was elected unopposed in 2020, is concluding.

The polling for this crucial seat will take place on March 16, 2024. Sukhu reassured party members and the public that there is no uncertainty surrounding the election, stating, “There is neither any suspense nor fear over the election,” and emphasized that democracy would not be “sold like previous time.”

With a majority in the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly, the Congress party is expected to secure a victory. However, the party’s leadership is keenly aware of its previous experience in the last Rajya Sabha election, where it lost despite having 40 MLAs and support from three Independents. In that election, BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan triumphed over Congress’ Abhishek Manu Singhvi after both candidates received 34 votes, largely due to cross-voting by six Congress MLAs.

At present, the composition of the state assembly includes 40 members of Congress and 28 members of the BJP. A meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Legislative Party is scheduled for March 5, 2024, to finalize the candidate.

As of now, neither the Congress party nor the BJP has publicly named their candidates. BJP leaders have indicated they will only field a candidate if the Congress nominee is not from Himachal Pradesh. Sources within the Congress have suggested several names under consideration for the candidacy, including former Union Minister Anand Sharma, former state president Pratibha Singh, and Congress in-charge for the state Rajni Patil. Other potential candidates include Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, former Education Minister Asha Kumari, and IT advisor to the Chief Minister Gokul Butail.

Additionally, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, political advisor Sunil Bittu, and Advocate General Anup Ratan are also in the mix. Notably, the name of Nigam Bandhari, General Secretary of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and an activist known for his recent demonstrations, has emerged as a contender as well. Hailing from Kinnaur district, Bandhari adds a distinct voice to the potential candidate pool.

As the nomination period approaches, the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh remains charged with anticipation. The outcome will not only influence the regional dynamics but also reflect broader trends within the Congress party as it seeks to consolidate its position in the state.