Rumblings of Third Front grow louder in Himachal as disgruntled leaders explore new political platform

A void of vibrant leadership appears to be emerging within the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress in Himachal Pradesh, with recent remarks by senior leaders such as Shanta Kumar, Ramesh Dhawala, Ram Lal Markanda and former union Minister Anand Sharma indicating a possible shift in the state’s political equilibrium.

Against this backdrop, rumblings of a third political alternative are gathering momentum in the hill state. Preparations are reportedly underway to formally announce a “Third Front” from the state capital Shimla in the coming days. Former minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, considered the architect of the initiative, has indicated that the formation of the proposed party is in its final stages. He said the name of the party will be announced soon and the process for its registration will follow.

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According to Markanda, a party constitution is being drafted while the organisational structure is being finalised. He claimed that prominent political figures from 10 of the state’s 12 districts are ready to join the platform. Efforts are still underway to identify influential leaders in Solan and Sirmaur districts, where meetings with local political leaders are expected shortly.

Sources said groundwork for the proposed front has already begun through meetings in Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra districts. Around 22 former ministers, MLAs and MPs reportedly attended a key meeting in Kullu, many of whom are said to be dissatisfied with recent political developments in the BJP.

Political observers note that the roots of this discontent can be traced back to the 2022 Assembly elections when the BJP lost power by a wafer-thin margin in terms of votes. The party had replaced nearly 23 sitting candidates, which triggered resentment among its traditional leadership. Several disgruntled leaders entered the fray as independent candidates, significantly affecting the party’s prospects in multiple constituencies.

Among the prominent leaders associated with this wave of dissent is Kripal Parmar, a senior BJP figure from Kangra district. Parmar contested the Shahpur Assembly constituency as an independent candidate despite reportedly being persuaded by top party leadership to withdraw. His decision eventually led to the defeat of BJP candidate Rakesh Pathania.
Another influential leader from Kangra, Rajan Sushant, a former Member of Parliament known for his independent political stance, has also been sidelined within the party. Political observers believe that the marginalisation of such experienced leaders has contributed to growing unrest among sections of the BJP’s cadre.

The emerging platform is also said to be reaching out to supporters of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, some of whom reportedly attended the Kullu meeting. If leaders with significant political weight join the proposed front, analysts believe it could challenge both the Congress government in the state and the BJP’s influence in the region in the coming elections.