Political activity is beginning to gather pace in the Sulah Assembly constituency nearly a year ahead of the 2027 Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, with a growing number of Congress workers rallying behind former MLA Jagjivan Pal as the party’s prospective candidate.
Hundreds of Congress workers on Thursday urged the party high command to field Pal from Sulah, describing him as the strongest and most popular Congress leader in the constituency. Party workers argued that the current political climate favoured Pal and that he was best placed to mount a credible challenge to the BJP in the next Assembly elections.
Supporters cited Pal’s performance in the 2022 Assembly elections as evidence of his political strength. After being denied the Congress ticket, Pal contested as an Independent candidate and secured 29,559 votes, while the official Congress nominee polled around 6,700 votes. Congress workers maintain that the result reflected Pal’s significant grassroots support and personal influence across the constituency.
Speaking to The Tribune, Pal said he was prepared to contest the election if the party leadership reposed faith in him. Expressing confidence in his prospects, he said he could help the Congress reclaim the Sulah seat if given the opportunity.
Pal also highlighted his electoral record, noting that he defeated senior BJP leader and current Sulah MLA Vipin Singh Parmar in the 2003 and 2012 Assembly elections. He added that he narrowly missed victory in 1998 and 2007, losing by margins of just 125 and 999 votes, respectively.
Sulah has traditionally witnessed direct contests between the Congress and the BJP. The constituency is currently represented by Parmar, who continues to wield considerable political influence in the region.
Congress workers said Pal’s accessibility, close rapport with local residents and active involvement in public issues have helped him build a loyal support base over the years. They believe his candidature could strengthen the party’s chances in the constituency.
Although the Assembly elections remain some distance away, discussions over ticket allocation have already begun within political circles. Political observers believe the Congress leadership’s decision on Sulah could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral contest in the constituency. For now, the growing demand from party workers has brought Pal back into the spotlight, making him one of the key figures to watch.
