Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, March 5
Congress candidate Anurag Sharma on Thursday filed his nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and several party legislators present during the process.
Sharma submitted his nomination papers before the Assembly Secretary at the state legislative assembly. The ruling Indian National Congress has fielded him as its candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat from the state. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has not announced a candidate, making Sharma’s election almost certain.
Speaking after the nomination, Chief Minister Sukhu said the Congress leadership had given an opportunity to a grassroots party worker, sending a message that ordinary workers could rise within the party.
He also criticised the BJP, saying that even if the party had fielded a candidate, it would have faced defeat because Congress legislators were united and loyal to the party.
Sharma described his nomination as a “big moment” for someone who considers himself a small party worker. He said he received the news while celebrating Holi with his family and initially thought the call from the party headquarters was just a festival greeting.
He thanked Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Chief Minister Sukhu for the opportunity.
Sharma said that if elected to the Upper House, he would raise issues related to the Rural Development Grant (RDG) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in Parliament.
