AS THE CAVALCADE winds down the road in Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, a much garlanded Pratibha Singh, the Congress state unit chief, steps out to loud cheers from supporters. The widow of six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh is in the region to canvass for party candidates, in this case Rajesh Dharmani in Ghumarwin. The rallies and roadshows have gone off well, considering that Bilaspur is a bastion of the rival BJP, and home to the party’s national chief J.P. Nadda. The Congress is yet to declare a chief ministerial candidate, which is perhaps why Pratibha has been going the extra mile in her campaign. A Congress win should make her one of the favourites for the top post.
The state goes to the polls on November 12 to elect 68 members to the assembly. No party has managed a repeat mandate since 1985, which should boost Congress hopes, despite the fact that it will not have Virbhadra and his organisational skills to fall back on this time. The Himachal election is crucial for both the Congress and BJP. The Congress will be hoping to break a long losing streak; it will also be a welcome gift for new party president Mallikarjun Kharge. For the BJP’s Nadda, who is eyeing a second term/ extension as party chief in January, a favourable result will only bolster his case.
This story is from the November 14, 2022 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 14, 2022 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ARTS AND THE MAN
In his centenary year, F.N. Souza: The Archetypal Artist tries to make sense of the recurring themes in the artist’s work
The Reluctant Art Critic
Advertising executive, art critic and possible catalyst of the modern Indian art movement, Rudolf von Leyden was an intriguing figure in pre-Independence Bombay
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST & POET
ANINDYO ROY’S THE VICEROY’S ARTIST IS A FICTIONALISED ACCOUNT OF EDWARD LEAR’S TRAVELS IN INDIA
Lady of the Light
This artist has transformed the humble bulb into a thing of beauty
S'more to Think Of
Called Marshmallow, this penthouse in Gurgaon with soft curves and plush aesthetics stays true to its name
A Marvelous Melange
From stylish living quarters to multipurpose adaptive space, this home in Mumbai turns every nook into a showstopper
TECH MEETS TEXTURE
Smart fabrics and intelligent textiles are changing the way we view home furnishings
Refresh and Revive
That old table, those cabinets or even the console can be given a new lease of life, one that is tailor-made to the latest trends
Standout Spaces
Want dramatic interiors but don’t know how? This home in Mumbai becomes a lesson in learning the nuances of adding magic inside.
Vernacular Wise
Forget international brands and design, the beauty and simplicity of local materials and ancient techniques is gaining momentum