The Himachal Pradesh Congress was in for a rude shock today, with reports emerging that Anil Sharma, a minister in the Virbhadra Singh government, is switching loyalties to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
News agency ANI reported that an official announcement regarding Sharma joining the BJP is expected Sunday. The agency also tweeted out a photo of Anil Sharma sporting a BJP-branded scarf and flashing a victory sign.
The news comes just days after the Election Commission (EC) announcing dates for polling in Himachal Pradesh. Voting in the state will be held in a single-phase on November 9 and counting will take place a full month later on December 18.
Along with Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat will too elects a new assembly. However, polling dates for Gujarat are yet to be announced.
Elections in both the states will be closely watched across India. The Congress hopes to Gujarat from the BJP, which has ruled the state for over two decades now.
The BJP, on the other hand, will look to once again win power in Himachal and prove its claim Congress’s influence is waning across the country.
Anil Sharma, who reportedly has joined the BJP, is the son Sukh Ram, who was a union minister in PV Narasimha Rao’s government. Sukh Ram was convicted for accepting a bribe while he was the union telecom minister.
Anil Sharma fought and won the last Himachal Pradesh Assembly election from Mandi, his father’s traditional seat.
