Anand Sharma Prioritizes State Interests in Record-Breaking Victory
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Anand Sharma to Achieve Record-Breaking Victory in Chamba-Kangra Seat: Vivek, In-Charge, Congress OBC Department, Kangra-Chamba Lok Sabha Area, President of Mandi District Congress OBC Department
Kangra, 19 May 2024
Congress candidates are set to achieve record-breaking victories in the Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections. The public support received during the election campaign indicates a desire for change in the country. Vivek, in-charge of the Congress OBC Department for the Kangra-Chamba Lok Sabha area, expressed confidence that Congress candidates will win by a significant margin in all four Lok Sabha and six Assembly seats in the state. He highlighted the immense support from the public and the dedicated efforts of party workers and officials.
The support for Congress has left the BJP rattled. The BJP, which is on the backfoot in the crucial Mandi Lok Sabha seat, is also facing tough competition in the Chamba-Kangra seat from senior Congress leader Anand Sharma. The overwhelming support for Anand Sharma has caused concern within the BJP ranks.
Vivek stated that the Congress has fielded a candidate for the Chamba-Kangra seat who has previously worked on industrial development in the region as a central minister. Anand Sharma, a senior Congress leader, brings extensive experience that will benefit the people of Kangra-Chamba and the entire state. Vivek emphasized that once the India Alliance government comes to power on June 4, Anand Sharma will be a prime candidate for a significant ministerial position in the central government. During the Manmohan Singh administration in 2004, Sharma was entrusted with key portfolios such as Commerce and Industry. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2004 to 2022, held roles such as the chief spokesperson for the party, and served as the deputy leader of the Congress in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Additionally, Sharma has been the president of the Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress and the Indian Youth Congress.
Vivek praised Anand Sharma’s contributions to Kangra as the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, noting several projects that generated employment opportunities for the state’s people. As the Commerce and Industry Minister of India, Sharma implemented significant policy initiatives to boost manufacturing and attract foreign investment. He played a crucial role in crafting India’s first National Manufacturing Policy (NMP) in 2011, aiming to increase the manufacturing share in GDP from 16% to 25% and create 100 million skilled jobs within a decade. The policy envisioned the establishment of greenfield integrated manufacturing cities.
As the minister responsible for national investment policy, Sharma opened several sectors, including defense and civil aviation, to FDI. India permitted 100% FDI in single-brand retail and opened multi-brand retail to foreign investors. The e-Biz project was conceptualized and launched to improve the business and investment environment. During Sharma’s five-year tenure, India received $190 billion in FDI.
Vivek concluded by saying that Anand Sharma is a personality the state’s people highly regard. They are expected to vote overwhelmingly in his favor on June 1, sending him to Delhi as their representative.
