Himachal’s Lok Sabha Candidates Rajiv K. Phull (Lok Sabha Elections 2014)Lok Sabha Elections 2014The political heat is increasing in Himachal as campaigning by different candidates in four parliamentary seats is gaining momentum. The candidates are holding small corner meetings in their respective Lok Sabha constituencies to woo the voters in their favour. They are raising various issues, including local as well as national, targeting their political opponents and highlighting their achievements and party’s priorities to tackle various problems confronting the state and nation. However, both the main political parties have fielded established leaders in Lok Sabha election. The only exception is Mandi Lok Sabha seat where the BJP had to field a new candidate after many of its leaders reportedly refused to contest election. In addition Aam Aadmi Party has fielded its candidates for the first time in Himachal. Kangra Chander Kumar, INC Congress MLAs Dominate LS Constituency Chander KumarChander Kumar remained a minister in Himachal for nearly two decades. A prominent OBC leader, he defeated Shanta Kumar in Lok Sabha elections in 2004. Chander Kumar hopes to repeat the feat again as 16 out of 17 assembly segments in Lok Sabha constituency have Congress and its associate MLAs in addition to the benefit of party’s government in the state.Strengths Weaknesses* Prominent OBC eader * To negate anti- lincumbency against UPA government* Banking on Congress MLAs and government support * Failed to impress during his previous term as MP* Connects with voters easily * Could not project himself as leader of KangraShanta Kumar, BJP Last Electoral BattleShanta KumarFormer Chief Minister and Union minister Shanta Kumar agreed to contest Lok Sabha election following pressure from the party high command and supporters. Though he had announced not to enter electoral fray about a decade ago, Shanta Kumar is probably fighting the last election in his long political career spanning nearly six decades. Will voters give chance to Shanta Kumar in his last political innings? It remains to be seen.Strengths Weaknesses* A visionary leader who implemented many welfare schemes as CM and Union minister * Internal party bickerings* Took lead in campaigning * Remained cut off from rural areas after deciding not to contest election about a decade ago* Instrumental in return of party rebels * Candidacy of BJP rebel Rajan SushantRajan Sushant, AAP Will he gain from AAP Platform?Rajan SushantHaving a political career spanning almost three decades, Dr. Rajan Sushant remained minister in Himachal and BJP Member of Parliament also. Known as a firebrand leader, he had been raising the banner of revolt against his parent party BJP time and again. He had fought Lok Sabha elections in nineties after forming Nyaya Manch and this time on AAP ticket. He hopes to benefit from undercurrent against the Congress and BJP in forthcoming elections.Strengths Weaknesses* Firebrand leader * Revolt against his parent party BJP consistently* Led agitations for welfare of people * Non existent organisation of Aam Aadmi Party in Himachal* Equal utilization of MPLAD fund in constituency * Few workers in Lok Sabha constituencyShimla (Reserve) Virender Kashyap, BJP Banking on Modi WaveVirender KashyapBorn on September 5, 1950, Virender Kashyap lost many assembly and Lok Sabha elections before being elected as Member of Parliament in 2009. He has also served as Lecturer of Physics in Education Department before joining politics. He remained chairman of HP marketing Board from 1998 to 2003. Virender Kashyap hopes to sail through this time also banking on Modi wave. He spent MPLAD fund primarily on link roads in rural areas and constructions of community buildings.Strengths Weaknesses* Simple nature * Remained cut off from voters in many segments* Strikes rapport with voters due to his oratory skills * Surrounded by a coterie of peopleMohan Lal Brakta, INC Riding on Virbhadra SupportMohan Lal BraktaHaving no political legacy or background, Advocate Mohan Lal Brakta was picked up by Virbhadra Singh to contest assembly elections from Rohru. He won by a record margin of 28,000 votes in his first election. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s role will be instrumental to ensure victory of his protégée in Lok Sabha elections also.Strengths Weaknesses* Enjoys Virbhadra’s patronage * Beginer in politics* Impetus to development in Rohru constituency * Surrounded by sycophantsMandi Pratibha Singh, INC Banking on Virbhadra’s InfluencePratibha Singh Pratibha Singh is riding on her achievements in getting approval for Rs. 2300 crore Kiratpur-Ner Chowk four laning, cancer hospital, Rs. 100 crore drinking water supply scheme and other developmental projects for Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. In addition, Pratibha Singh hopes to sail through this time also due to influence of her husband Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Congress MLAs in the constituency.Strengths Weaknesses* Benefit of big lead in by-election * Remains cut off from masses* Virbhadra’s influence in area * Away from constituency* Support of Congress government, MLAs * Not easily accessible* Depends upon ministers, MLAs* More experienced than BJP candidate * Failure in getting assistance from Centre for Air, rail and tourism Ram Sawrup Sharma, BJP First Electoral Battle Ram Sawrup SharmaFighting his first election, Ram Sawrup Sharma hopes to benefit from issues like corruption, price rise, anti-incumbency against Centre, failure of Congress candidate to fulfill promises. In addition, he is also banking on Modi wave to work in his favour. Though, he has long experience in managing elections of other candidates but no experience of fighting election as he is fighting his first election after having worked for decades in the BJP organisation.Strengths Weaknesses* Three decade experience in organisation * Fighting first election* Easily approachable * No experience of fighting elections* Direct connect with every booth and worker * Few BJP MLAs in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency* Held key positions in organisation * Weak organisationHamirpur Anurag Thakur, BJP Enjoys Proximity to Narendra ModiAnurag ThakurAnurag Thakur enjoys close proximity to BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and hopes to win the forthcoming election by raising anti-incumbency factor against UPA government. He also enjoys full support of the party and organisation and lists achievements of his two terms in addition to his role in bringing Himachal on the cricketing map of the world by constructing cricket stadiums in the state. Strengths Weaknesses * National stature as BJYM president * Long absence from constituency due to different engagements * Achievements of two terms * Not approachable even on phone * Close to Narendra Modi * Lacks in personal contacts * Good oratory skills * Surrounded by a coterie of people * Achievements in sports promotion Rajinder Rana, INC Raising ‘High Profile Leader’ Issue Rajinder RanaRajinder Rana has established credentials in social service through his organisation that helped him to win Sujanpur assembly seat as independent candidate. Maintaining a direct rapport with masses, Rajinder Rana, who resigned from his assembly seat and got a Congress ticket, will be banking upon support from Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to sail through this electoral battle. Rajinder Rana is also well versed with working of his opponent as he was once a close confidant of Prem Kumar Dhumal. Later he parted ways with the BJP. Strengths Weaknesses * Image of a common man * Organisation not supporting fully as he is new entrant to the Congress * Reach up to the last person due to personal contacts * Proved credential as a leader after winning assembly seat as independent * Fear of undercutting due to opposition by certain party leaders * Attends each phone call personally Kamal Kanta Batra, AAP Banking on Soldier Families Kamal Kanata Batra Kamal Kanata Batra, mother of Kargil martyr PVC Capt. Vikram Batra, is contesting on AAP ticket from Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency. A new entrant in politics, she is banking on support of families with army background. However, lack of AAP cadre, political inexperience and resources are bottlenecks in giving an impetus to her electioneering in every corner of the constituency Strengths Weaknesses * Has roots in Hamirpur * No political background, experience * Soldier families backing her *l Less resources for hectic campaigning * Support of annoyed workers of both parties * Absence of AAP cadre April 5th, 2014 divyahimachal/himachal-news-2/himachals-lok-sabha-candidates/
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 03:30:05 +0000
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