Political circles in Himachal Pradesh have witnessed a major development ahead of the anticipated assembly by-election in Rampur. Veteran politician Singhi Ram, who represented the constituency six consecutive times and served as a cabinet minister, has tendered his resignation from the Bharatiya Janata Party. The move comes six years after he crossed over from Congress to the saffron party. With the seat now falling vacant, his departure has triggered strong speculation about a potential homecoming to Congress, altering the local political dynamics in the Shimla district constituency.
Resignation Sent via Speed Post Citing Personal Reasons
Singhi Ram formally submitted his resignation to state BJP president Rajeev Bindal. Written in a very concise four-line letter dated November 10, the senior leader stated that he was stepping down from the primary membership of the party strictly due to personal reasons. The communication was dispatched to the party president through speed post. By avoiding any political grievances or policy disputes in his letter, the seasoned legislator has kept his future options open, even as his exit just before an election creates tactical challenges for the ruling party's regional unit.
Transition from Government Service to Electoral Politics
Born on May 7, 1954, in Rampur in Shimla district, Singhi Ram completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rampur College before pursuing a degree in law. After finishing his formal education, he entered government service. However, his political aspirations led him to give up his secure career. In 1982, he resigned from his government post to contest his first assembly election from Rampur. He won that contest, marking the beginning of an extraordinary electoral run in Himachal Pradesh legislative history.
Six Consecutive Victories and Cabinet Tenure
Following his initial victory in 1982, Singhi Ram established an unbroken winning streak in Rampur. He retained the assembly seat in the subsequent elections held in 1985, 1990, 1993, 1998, and 2003, serving six terms as an elected lawmaker. A close associate of veteran Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh, Singhi Ram was inducted into the state cabinet in 2004. During that tenure, he managed crucial portfolios as the minister in charge of Horticulture along with Food and Civil Supplies, further strengthening his administrative profile.
Internal Discord, Rebellion, and Shift to BJP
The veteran leader's electoral trajectory shifted abruptly in 2007 when Congress denied him a nomination. The ticket was instead handed to Nand Lal, who had taken voluntary retirement from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police after serving as a commando tasked with the security of the Gandhi family. Nand Lal secured the party ticket directly from the national leadership in Delhi, leaving even Virbhadra Singh unable to protect his loyalist's candidacy. Nand Lal went on to win the seat in 2012, 2017, and 2022. Frustrated by the sidelined position, Singhi Ram rebelled during the 2017 assembly election and contested as an independent. He lost the race and was subsequently expelled from Congress. On April 27, 2019, during a regional visit by then Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, Singhi Ram formally joined the BJP.
Current Equation and Political Stakes in Rampur
The political ground in Rampur underwent an unexpected shift following the death of four-time legislator Nand Lal on November 3 after an illness. His demise necessitates a by-election for the seat. Meanwhile, another local leader, Brij Lal, who had also been with the BJP, recently crossed over to Congress. With Singhi Ram now relinquishing his BJP membership, attention has shifted to how the Congress high command and Virbhadra Singh's son, Vikramaditya, navigate the ticket distribution. Whether Singhi Ram re-enters Congress and claims the candidacy remains the central question governing the upcoming contest.
