New Delhi. Despite the Congress Party being in power in Himachal Pradesh, none of its big leaders is willing to contest elections from Mandi parliamentary constituency. Current MP Pratibha Singh has expressed her reluctance to contest the elections under the party leadership, although the top leadership is yet to give any definite response. There are more than 50 days left for nomination, so the discussion regarding candidature has been postponed for a few days.
Pratibha Singh has been asked to reconsider her decision. However, no decision was taken regarding the party candidate from Mandi seat in the Congress Working Committee meeting held in Delhi on Tuesday.
#WATCH , Shimla: On withdrawing her candidature from the Mandi constituency, Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Virbhadra Singh says, “We have a new challenge in front of us in the form of six MLAs who have been suspended from the party. By-elections are going to be… pic.twitter.com/1K435o43Qu
— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2024
On withdrawing her candidature, Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Virbhadra Singh said, “We have a new challenge in the form of six MLAs who have been suspended from the party. By-elections are going to be held on these six seats, and we all have to win, and it is my responsibility to make them win. That is why I withdrew my candidature from Mandi… Earlier the situation was very different. Winning the Lok Sabha elections was the priority of the party, for which I have visited Mandi several times and am well aware of every corner of my constituency… I have suggested the name of Kaul Singh Thakur for Mandi as he is well-known in this area. And they also have a good understanding of the grassroots level.”