Election Affidavit Exposes Rs16Cr PWD Deal Trail of Congress's Himachal Rajya Sabha Candidate

An election affidavit filed for the upcoming Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh has revealed that Congress candidate Anurag Sharma received public works contracts worth nearly Rs 16 crore over the past two years. According to details disclosed in the affidavit, Sharma was awarded contracts by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department in the Kangra district between September 2024 and February 2026. The contracts, valued at approximately Rs 15.98 crore, were related to infrastructure and construction works handled by the department.

The disclosure comes as part of the mandatory filings submitted for the Rajya Sabha election process, which requires candidates to provide details about their financial interests and business activities. Sharma, who has been nominated by the Indian National Congress, confirmed that he has been involved in the construction contracting business for over two decades. He stated that his association with the sector dates back to 2003, long before his current political involvement.

According to the affidavit, the contracts were issued by the Public Works Department in Kangra, one of the largest districts in the state. The works reportedly covered various construction and infrastructure-related projects managed by the department. The contracts were awarded during the tenure of the current state government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

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Officials close to the state government said Sharma’s business activities should not be viewed as unusual, noting that he has been engaged in the contracting sector for many years. A senior adviser to the chief minister described Sharma as a self-made businessman who built his career through the construction industry before entering politics. The adviser emphasised that Sharma’s professional background predates his candidature for the Rajya Sabha seat.

The Rajya Sabha election in Himachal Pradesh has drawn attention due to the political significance of the seat and the scrutiny surrounding candidates’ financial disclosures. Election affidavits are designed to provide transparency regarding candidates’ assets, liabilities, and professional engagements, allowing voters and political observers to assess potential conflicts of interest.

With the filing now public, Sharma’s disclosures have become part of the broader discussion around accountability and transparency in electoral politics. As the election process moves forward, political parties and observers are expected to continue examining candidate affidavits and financial records to better understand the backgrounds of those seeking representation in the upper house of Parliament.

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