It is a test of popularity of six-time chief minister, Virbhadra Singh on new political turf, Arki Assembly constituency in Solan district, as he takes on Bharatiya Janata Party’s greenhorn, Rattan Singh Pal in 2017 polls.

For the first time, Singh, who represented three assembly segments, Jubbal Kotkhai, Rohroo and Shimla (Rural) since 1983, has thrown his hat in the ring outside his home district Shimla.

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The eight-time MLA in a row had to switch to Shimla (Rural) in 2012 polls from Rohroo after it was reserved. Previous to Rohroo, he represented Jubbal Kotkhai.

This time, he prepared the electoral pitch in Shimla (Rural) for his son, Vikramaditya Singh and moved to Arki, which shares border with Shimla (Rural) from one side.

The capital of erstwhile princely state of Baghal, Arki has not been the stronghold of any political party. It has seen, Congress, Janata Party, BJP and even independents wining from here.

Govind Ram Sharma of BJP won this seat in 2007 and 2012 and before that Congress party’s Dharam Pal Thakur (former deputy speaker) represented it thrice in a row.

Sitting MLA Govind Ram Sharma has not been given ticket this time and the BJP has instead accommodated a novice.

But ever since Singh, an old war horse of Congress (83) jumped into the fray in Arki, the otherwise ‘sleepy’ constituency has hogged limelight. BJP’s top leaders, party incharge, Mangal Pandey, UP chief minister, Yogi

Adityanath visited the constituency throwing volley of allegations of corruption and non-performance against Singh.
All this, however, has not worried Singh, who is known for his fighting spirit.

While the divided Congress in Arki, which united with his candidature, is working for him, the chief minister is busy steering the Congress campaign in entire Himachal with his ‘development card’.

“He is popular leader and has done much development in Arki (in his six terms as CM), at par with entire state. People know this very well,” the Congress men claim.

The people are actually not discussing many issues in Arki, but for the stature.

“One can’t take folks in Arki for granted. But CM is a CM,” said some politically aware youngsters from Dumehar.

“We elected Govind Ram as our MLA in 207, when BJP came. That time, he said he is just an MLA. In 2012, he won again but his excuse was that he can’t do much as it is Congress government now. So if a bigger leader comes, that wouldn’t be a problem,” they shared.

BJP’s candidate, Rattan Singh Pal, is not known to many in Arki as lives in Solan.

The BJP cadres are trying to make it an issue that Virbhadra Singh chose to contest from Arki at this age “when he is unable to deliver much”.

The women workers of BJP at Pipulghat are seen snowballing infamous ‘Gudia’ episode (alleged gangrape and murder of a school girl in Kotkhai) against the chief minister.

On ground, the BJP faces a silent sabotage from within, after sitting MLA Govind Ram Sharma’s ticket was chopped, without any valid reasoning.

“I am sincerely working for the candidate and am telling everyone to come together. The BJP is coming in the fight,” sitting MLA, Govind Ram Sharma told The Statesman.