Shadow Correspondent
Chaamb, SEPT 12:
In a significant political development, Satish Sharma , son of former Member of Parliament Madan Lal Sharma, has officially filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the Chhamb constituency. This move comes after the Congress Party’s decision to deny him the party mandate, a decision that has sparked widespread public discontent.Thousands of supporters, carrying national flags and placards featuring images of both Madan Lal Sharma and Satish Sharma, gathered in a massive show of support. The rally, filled with emotional speeches and chants, highlighted the deep connection between the Sharma family and the people of Chhamb, underscoring a long legacy of public service.In a further blow to the Congress Party, there has been a wave of mass resignations in the Khour block following the announcement of the Chhamb ticket being given to former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand by the All India Congress Committee (AICC). After the recent delimitation and rotation exercise, the Chhamb seat was opened to the general category, and a contest for the Congress ticket had emerged between Tara Chand and Satish Sharma. The AICC struggled to decide between the two leaders, but with the nomination deadline approaching on 12th September, the party ultimately awarded the ticket to Tara Chand. This decision, however, caused widespread discontent among party members, many of whom believed that Satish Sharma was the rightful candidate. In response, hundreds of Congress office bearers resigned in protest, demonstrating their support for Sharma.Addressing the crowd, Satish Sharma voiced his disappointment with the Congress Party, stating, “I have dedicated years of service to the Congress Party, but due to internal pressures from certain leaders, I was denied the mandate. This decision disregards the will of 80% of the people in the Chhamb constituency.” He emphasized that after 28 years of reservation, Chhamb is finally open to the general category, yet the Congress Party failed to represent the majority’s choice.Sharma spoke at length about his father’s contributions to the development of Maira Mandrian, Chowki Choura, Khrah Balli, and Khour, pledging to continue his father’s legacy. He assured the youth of Chhamb that, if elected, he would prioritize recruitment drives and focus on the development of all blocks in the constituency. He made a heartfelt appeal for the support of the people of Khour, asking for their blessings if they believe in the work his family has done over the years.Supporters at the rally expressed their anger over the Congress Party’s decision, with one stating, “Eighty percent of Chhamb’s population belongs to the general category, who were supposed to get the mandate after 28 years. We will not only vote for Satish Sharma, but we’ll also support him with our time and resources.” Many others echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing their loyalty to the Sharma family and their determination to secure his victory.The rally demonstrated the strong support for Satish Sharma, and as the election draws nearer, it is clear that his candidacy has injected fresh energy into the political landscape of Chhamb.
