An abode of Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama, a famed town for international Cricket stadium –rated as one of the best in the world and an upcoming 'Smart City' of India – Dharamshala has many feathers on its cap.
The beautiful city in the laps of Dhauladhar mountains is all set to brace tough contest less than 24 hours ahead of the assembly polls.
While BJP has officially fielded an OBC candidate Rakesh Chaudhry (44), a turncoat known for switching sides including his brief adventure with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Vipin Nehria, a BJP leader from gaddi community is also fighting as a rebel.
The Congress has however brought back Sudhir Sharma, a party heavyweight and Brahmin face, to test his fortunes again.
In an 83,000 strong constituency one of significant views to look at is state Vidhan Sabha (legislative Assembly) complex, credit for which goes to former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
He not only laid the foundation stone during his tenure between 2003-2007 but also got the work done within one year.
“It was his vision to bridge the gap often being a cause of Kangra’s disenchantment with the government run from Shimla. It was also a sort of political empowerment. He genuinely believed in equitable development of all the regions and Kangra must not ignored ” Says Sudhir Sharma, Congress candidate from Dharamshala .
Sharma, a former minister in Virbhadra Singh cabinet, one who really wielded power got the “Smart City” project sanctioned for Dharamshala even overriding Shimla’s claim. His another shrewd move was to get Dharamshala declared as second capital of Himachal Pradesh ahead of 2017 assembly elections.
As a young politician Sharma wanted to emerge as the next leader to become a front line politician but unfortunately his calculations went wrong. He lost his election in 2017 to BJP senior Krishan Kapoor, a former minister and prominent Gaddi community leader.
Kapoor later in 2019 also got elected to the Parliament from Kangra due to the Narendra Modi wave but Sharma’s political career came to a halt, at least for five years. This was primarily also due to his refusal to contest election from Dharamshala, after vacancy was created by Kapoor’s election to Lok Sabha.
A big blow came to Sharma ahead of the elections with speculations floating that he will join Aam Aadmi party (AAP) as its Chief Ministerial face. However, his image was significantly damaged as the buzz in the air indicated he was likely to join BJP.
Nevertheless, Sudhir Sharma had to struggle for the ticket which eventually he got and set out for a decisive battle to defend his turf. Right now, things seem to be working for him in terms of the campaign in the town even as peripheral areas- the panchayats are presenting a contrasting picture.
Mritunjay Puri, a Kangra-based journalist admits, “Sudhir Sharma’s works as minister for urban development are highpoints of his campaign as how he got Smart city project facing hurdles, sky-walk project connecting Dharamshala to Mcleodganj lacking a push and proposed IT park gathering dust.”
During five years Dharamshala however did not see the “smart city’ project happening barring few rain-shelters, drains or pathways.
Sudhir Sharma has come out with a time bound charter of action to transform Dharamshala into a happening place. There is a list of schemes for women empowerment, employment of youths and proposals on infrastructure building.
His campaigners like Congress leader Randeep Surjewala exhorted the voters to elect Sharma to the assembly and promised that he (Sujrewala) will get him an important role. “Now, the government will function from Dharamshala, not Shimla,” he declared on November 9 at Dharamshala.
The town that ideally holds potential as Himachal Pradesh’s cosmopolitan amalgamation, in the foot-hills of majestic snow-peaked Dhauladhar mountains, is waiting a big push. One of the best advantages is air connectivity to the town facilitating the international cricket destination.