The Congress appears to be in a combative mood in several States, and the declaration of Manish Tewari, former Union Minister as the party nominee for the lone Lok Sabha sea in Chandigarh, is an expression of intent. Manish, who has also been the chief of the Indian Youth Congress and the NSUI, is the sitting MP from Anandpur Saheb and is contesting from the Union territory for the first time. He shall be pitted against Sanjay Tandon, son of former BJP strongman, Balramji Das Tandon who is also fighting his first Parliamentary election after he was named for the seat instead of Kirron Kher. In Himachal Pradesh, where the BJP had declared Kangana Ranaut as its candidate from Mandi, the Congress has put up Vikramaditya Singh, son of six times chief minister Virbhadra against her.
Vikramaditya shall be also contesting his first Lok Sabha election and has been fielded in place of his mother, Pratibha Singh, who is the HPCC president. It is evident that the contest for both the seats shall be intense and shall pave the way for the future.
Manish replaces Pawan Bansal, the former Congress treasurer as the nominee. Earlier, the speculation was that he would be repeated either in Anandpur Saheb or his old Lok Sabha constituency, Ludhiana, where the sitting MP, Ravneet Singh Bittoo has shifted to the BJP.
Bansal has represented the seat on multiple occasions and had the backing of many powerful leaders in the party. However, it appears that the High Command is looking towards the future and has hence decided to bring in Manish Tewari, who belongs to the city. Sanjay Tandon is also a formidable opponent and after the inauguration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, he shall be the beneficiary of the religious sentiment that exist amongst the Hindus. His limitation is that he shall be contesting the polls solely on the support base of his party and would not have the backing of the Akali Dal, which was an ally till 2019. There is a large rural segment around Chandigarh with Akali presence and this is where the absence of alliance could hurt the Saffron Brigade. Manish is one of the few prominent leaders in the Congress who have been successful in winning the Lok Sabha polls. His victory from Anandpur Saheb had surprised many, and at one stage, Sonia Gandhi considered him for the leadership of the party in the lower house.
In fact, the story that is often spoken about is that Sonia Gandhi had shortlisted Manish and Shashi Tharoor, as possible party leaders in the Lok Sabha. However, when she sought former president Pranab Mukherjee’s advice during a social visit to see him at his Rajaji Marg residence, he suggested Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury’s name. Pranab’s argument was that Adhir Ranjan had won with the support of a large segment of Muslims who are a part of his constituency. While Manish and Shashi were both very good choices, but the BJP could try and influence them at some stage. But in case of Adhir Ranjab, any kind of pressure from the BJP was ruled out. It is another matter that it would be unwise to suspect the political credentials of Manish and Shashi as they have stood their ground and have made their party proud.
Manish’s candidacy would also send a strong signal in Punjab and his shifting has provided the Congress an opportunity to consider someone else for Anandpur Saheb, which was at one time Ambika Soni’s seat. Even last time, Rahul Gandhi had stated that whoever would be fielded from there shall have to have her approval. The party could consider Balbir Sidhu, former Minister who had moved to the BJP but returned a few months earlier for this constituency. In Mandi, the BJP had thought that Kangana would have a walk-over in the Parliamentary polls given both her popularity and her proximity to the Central leadership. However, Vikramaditya’s candidature can upset the saffron brigade’s calculations. His father Virbhadra had huge support amongst the masses and this factor could work in his favour when the polls take place. From the Congress High Command’s point of view, the decision is well thought through.
Vikramaditya and his mother, Pratibha had major differences with the current Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. By making Vikramaditya the candidate, the Central leadership has ensured that the functioning of the state government does not have any further problems and both the factions co-exist amicably. At one stage, there was speculation that mother and son could move to the BJP but after their meeting with the Gandhis, this is not likely anymore. Incidentally, till he was alive, Virbhadra Singh was the senior most Indian politician, who was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1962. He also had the rare distinction of being amongst a handful of leaders, who were active during the tenures of all Prime Ministers till this day.
Vikramaditya’s presence in the contest would reinforce the Congress, and would even have an impact on the six Assembly seats where party rebels, who were disqualified for defying the whip, are seeking re-election on the BJP tickets this time. The contest in the Himalayan state is going to be keenly watched and the outcome can throw many surprises. The Congress would do well if it was to apply its mind in selecting the nominees carefully. This time around, the BJP has a fight on its hand in at least some of the states.