Summary:
Their defeats were attributed to factionalism.Congress, in the past, has never fielded a Brahmin candidate from Kangra and gone for an OBC, Rajput or other candidate. Two prominent Brahmin faces of the Congress — former state ministers Sudhir Sharma and G S Bali — are battling for the party ticket this time. While a faction is supporting the former CM Virbhadra Singh-led camp which includes Sharma, the rival faction is supporting G S Bali. In the 2017 assembly elections, Sudhir Sharma lost from Dharamshala seat and Bali from Nagrota Bagwan seat. BJP, on the other hand, has batted for Brahmin candidates by fielding Shanta and Rajan Sushant.In BJP, there are many aspirants, including BJYM state president Vishal Chauhan, former MLA Dulo Ram and Gaddi leader Trilok Kapoor..