Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh who is all set to take on Bollywood superstar and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kangana Ranaut at Mandi in the Lok Sabha polls, said that people from his constituency will have to choose between committed leadership and those who act like tourists.
“It’s the BJP’s decision who they want to appoint as their candidate. I have no right to speak about that. But, I would say that there is committed leadership that is in touch with their people and then there are those who are like tourists…The way tourists wear regional clothes, get a picture and leave, it seems a similar system is at work,” Singh, who is the son of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Late Virbhadra Singh said speaking to ANI on Thursday.
Taking a dig at Ranaut, the Congress candidate from Mandi said that people from his constituency are well-read and intellectual and will decide whether they will vote for a serious leader or want entertainment during elections.
“Now, it’s people’s decision whether they want entertainment during election time or a serious leader who persents their case with facts at the Lok Sabha. Whether they want a leader who says that we got independence in 2014, who says that the Prime Minister has altered the country’s history. The people of Mandi are well-read and intellectual, they understand the gravity of the situation. Contesting elections isn’t fun, it requires dedication, commitment, understanding of the region and knowledge which is very important,” Singh said.
Singh further highlighted that Ranaut is a new face in the region, while the Congress leadership has always been with the people of Himachal Pradesh even during national disasters.
“Candidates from other parties can go anywhere they want to out of their own will. We do not have anything to do with it. We will be campaigning based on our strengths. She (Ranaut) has just come here. She is new. People do not even know her face. On the other hand, we have been with people throughout, day and night, during natural disasters…,” the Congress Minister said.
Speaking on the Congress campaign in the state, Singh said, “The Chief Minister will be holding a meeting with all party workers, senior leaders tomorrow. We will be discussing on our strategy and we will be launching our campaign in the next 3-4 days. We will be visiting every place, with all our strength, to win, with a positive mindset…”
On the candidature of her son Vikramaditya Singh from Mandi, Pratibha Singh said that it is a good sign that the Congress high command has decided to give a ticket to a young leader.
“Our High Command has decided to field Vikramaditya (from Mandi). I am happy that they have given this responsibility to a young candidate. He will be hitting the field soon. He is in touch with people and holding discussions with them. We will be launching our campaign soon,” Singh who is the wife of Late Virbhadra Singh, said speaking to ANI on Thursday.
Singh further said that Kangana Ranaut, who has already launched her campaign, will not pose a challenge for the Congress.
“It’s good that she (Kangana Ranaut) is visiting places for her campaign, it’s her duty as the party (BJP) has given her the ticket. We don’t need to be bothered by that, we already have visited those places,” she said.
Exuding confidence that people from Mandi will be voting for the Congress, Singh said, “We don’t need to give our introduction to the people, they know us and have always been with us. I hope this time also, they will vote for our candidates and send them to the Parliament.”
Speaking on the delay in declaring candidates in Kangra and Hamirpur, Singh said, “There is a delay in declaring our candidates because we want to give tickets after a lot of thought. In Hamirpur, Anurag Thakur who is a tall BJP leader, is contesting. He has won from there five times. The Chief Minister will take a call on whom to field in Hamirpur…In Kangra as well we have held discussions with everyone and the Chief Minister will soon hold a meeting and decide on whom to field from the constituency.”
Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats-Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. Other than Vikramadity Singh, the Congress has decided to field Vinod Sultanpuri from Shimla (SC) Lok Sabha constituency.
The polling for four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, along with six Assembly seats that fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLAs, will be held on June 1. (ANI)
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