“Environment is one-sided in Congress’ favour”: Sachin Pilot on Mandi battle between Vikramaditya and Kangana

Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Exuding confidence in winning the Lok Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh, Congress leader Sachin Pilot said on Wednesday that the environment is one-sided in Congress favour and party’s candidate from Mandir Vikramaditya Singh will win with a huge margin.

Sachin Pilot was campaigning for Mandi Lok Sabha seat candidate from Congress Vikramaditya Singh.

“We are in the Mandi Lok Sabha Constituency right now. The environment is one-sided in Congress’ favour. Vikramaditya will win with a huge margin. Our candidates are ahead in all four seats in Himachal Pradesh,” Pilot said.

Mandi has become one of the most widely watched seats in the state. The seat will witness a battle between two young guns from the BJP and Congress.

Congress has fielded the son of late former CM Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh and BJP has gone with actor turned politician Kangana Ranaut.

The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader’s widow. She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

Earlier, in a swipe at BJP’s Mandi Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut over her latest social media post, marvelling at the scenic beauty of the Pangi Valley, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Sukhu said the actor-turned-politician was in the hill state for a ‘month-long vacation’.

Taking a dig at the BJP candidate over the caption, the Congress’ Himachal unit posted, “Kangana-ji has really come here to celebrate her holidays! She does not know that Pangi is not near Kashmir but Jammu. Her knowledge was evident from the ‘India got independence after the year 2014’ statement.”

“Now tell me! What is the use of wasting your vote on someone who does not know the history and geography of Himachal? Madam has come here for a month’s vacation, she will go back to Mumbai after celebrating. What is the use of taking her words seriously?” read the post by the Himachal Congress.

Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only pit candidates vying for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers.

The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time.