Congress party has nominated Anurag Sharma from Baijnath, Kangra, as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections, attempting to balance both regional and caste politics in the Kangra-Chamba parliamentary constituency. Sharma’s nomination has surprised political circles across the state.
Current Rajya Sabha member Indu Goswami from Baijnath, Kangra, whose term is ending, belongs to the Brahmin community. The new candidate has also been chosen from the same community. This parliamentary constituency had not received representation in the state Cabinet from the Brahmin community, and this is being seen as compensation for that gap.
Congress strength in Kangra
Of Kangra district’s 15 assembly seats, Congress holds 10. Two MLAs—Chaudhary Chandra Kumar and Yadavendra Goma—have already been made ministers. Kumar represents the OBC category while Goma represents the Scheduled Caste community. The state government had already attempted to balance these two sections. The Brahmin community in Kangra has historically received adequate representation in the state government.
Viplav Thakur has been a Rajya Sabha member from Congress. The Kangra-Chamba Lok Sabha constituency is considered politically crucial. Thirteen of Kangra’s 15 assembly seats and four of Chamba’s five seats fall within this parliamentary constituency, which has a substantial Brahmin voter base.
Currently, the BJP also has strong representation in this region. The BJP has made Dr. Rajiv Bhardwaj, from the Brahmin community, a Lok Sabha MP. Additionally, Dr. Harsh Mahajan and Indu Bala Goswami are Rajya Sabha members from the BJP.
Search for new district president begins
Following the announcement of Anurag Sharma’s name as Rajya Sabha candidate and his filing of nomination, the search for a new face for the Kangra District Congress President position has begun. Sharma had assumed charge as District Congress President only in January 2026. With his move to the Rajya Sabha, the organization will need to hand over the responsibility of Kangra district president to another leader.
Second consecutive RS MP from Baijnath
If Anurag Sharma reaches the Rajya Sabha, Baijnath assembly constituency will have a leader in the upper house for the second consecutive time. Previously, Indu Bala Goswami, a permanent resident of Baijnath, was elected as BJP’s Rajya Sabha member in 2020.
Political journey from student politics
Born into a politically connected family, Anurag Sharma began his career in student politics. He had the opportunity to work with current Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Since 2023, he has been serving as a member of the Vigilance and Prevention Committee of Himachal Road Transport Corporation. Active in sports activities, he has served as director and president of the Billing Paragliding Association. Sharma is also a member of Swami Ramanand Trust and has played an active role in various social activities in the region.
Personal background
Born on August 29, 1978, Anurag Sharma is the son of late Pyare Lal Sharma and Veena Devi Sharma. A resident of Gram Panchayat Beed, he was considered close to former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh and former minister Pandit Santram, serving as District Congress Committee treasurer for a long time. Anurag is counted among Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s close associates. He completed his matriculation in 1993, 12th standard in 1997, and BA in 1999.
Political career timeline
1998: NSUI Campus President at GGDSD College Baijnath; 1996-2001: NSUI State General Secretary; 2002-2006: Youth Congress District General Secretary; 2007-2012: Block Congress General Secretary; 2014-2019: Joint Secretary of State Congress Committee; 2010-2020: Director of Billing Paragliding Association; 2020-2025: President of Billing Paragliding Association; 2013-2017: Director of HP Tourism Development Board and member of HP Youth Services and Sports Department; 2015-2017: Congress Observer for Jogindernagar assembly constituency; Chairman of Beed Co-operative Tea Factory for the past two years.
