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Caste factor playing an important role in Himachal Pradesh bypolls

DHARAMSHALA: Congress and BJP have both fielded candidates from the Gaddi community , and this has triggered caste politics in the region. Dharamshala assembly seat has 81,000 votes, which includes a majority share of Other Backward Castes (OBC) also. The other communities are learnt to be annoyed over this fact in these by-elections.




Due to the caste factor alone, BJP leaders — including sitting cabinet minsters — have failed to placate the only rebel of the party contesting as an independent in these elections. Rakesh Choudhary, the independent candidate, is representing the OBC community in the elections. “My supporters don’t want me to step out of this election, and they have contributed money to fund my election expense. It is only due to them that I dared contest these elections” said Choudhary.

Gaddi community represents the shepherd tribe of Himachal Pradesh . BJP was relying on this community since 1990. However, Congress has given representation to Rajputs and Brahmins also. But in these elections, BJP fielded Vishal Nehria, and the Congress gave a ticket to Vijay Inder Karan. The representation to just one community by both the parties has triggered a caste issue in these elections.

The Brahmin community had, particularly, lost its representation in state politics from Kangra district after Shanta Kumar (BJP) and Sudhir Sharma (Congress) refused to contest the elections. Recently, Brahmin leaders have held a meeting in this regard at Kangra, which was presided over by community president Ved Prakash Sharma.

Congress rebel Punish Pahda, the son of former MLA Mool Raj Padha, is contesting as an independent, and he was allegedly representing the Brahmin community in these elections. Independent candidates are hopeful that due to caste politics, they can get votes against BJP and Congress. As out of 81,000 votes, a majority are with the OBC, Brahmins, and other castes.

Interestingly, Kishan Kapoor (BJP) and Sudhir Sharma (Congress) — both faces of the party and their respective communities — were learnt to be annoyed. Sharma has refused to contest the polls due to internal rifts in the party, while Kapoor was annoyed as he was seeking a ticket for his son.

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