1st-timer rode Modi wave in 2014, eyes repeat performance

Mandi MP

Ram Swaroop

Sharma (60) does not have much to flaunt for a political career and is believed to have won the 2014 general polls riding the Modi wave. When he was nominated by the BJP from the Lok Sabha seat, Swaroop was not well known in the seat, even his own district.


Sharma found himself contesting the election from Mandi after the party’s previous MP from the seat, Maheshwar Singh, had founded the Himachal Lokhit Party and refused to return to the BJP.

The party had no strong candidate from the seat and gave a chance to Ram Swaroop, who had been a part of RSS-BJP since 1984 and had been pushing for an opportunity. Former CM Virbhadra Singh’s two-time MP wife Pratibha Singh was the Congress candidate, but the Modi wave helped Sharma win by 39,000 votes.

Asked why he should be reelected, Sharma said he is “honest, has a good record and is the best choice in the party”. “Congress is notorious for corruption, but I have worked for people. I’ve been to each corner of my constituency, talked to people. I know their problems.”

Sharma hinted at the Modi factor for his reelection. “Narendra Modi is the only man who has potential to make our country a world power, fight terrorism and end unemployment; I believe people will elect me again,” he said. However, many issues remain unresolved in the constituency — drug menace, poor connectivity and no development of tourism infrastructure. However, he says he has delivered when it comes to sports infrastructure and channelisation of the Beas. The Centre has approved Rs 585 crore for the river’s channelisation. “This is just a part of the total cost of nearly Rs 1,300cr.

The project also includes beautification of Beas’s banks.”