Khush Vikram Sen has emerged as one of the most talked-about young political faces in Himachal Pradesh following his emphatic victory in the recently concluded Panchayati Raj elections. At just 29, the BJP-backed candidate secured a resounding mandate from the Chamiyana Zila Parishad ward in Shimla district, polling 13,752 votes and defeating his nearest rival, Congress-backed Bhupendra Singh, former Block President of the Kusumpti Assembly constituency, by an impressive margin of 9,981 votes.
A scion of the erstwhile Keonthal princely state and the royal family of Junga, Khush Vikram Sen is the son of the late Veer Vikram Sen. While his royal lineage has naturally attracted public attention, his decision to enter grassroots politics reflects a conscious shift from legacy to public service.
His victory assumes added significance as Chamiyana is the Zila Parishad ward from which Congress leader and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh launched his political career. Political observers believe Sen’s decisive victory has established him as one of the BJP’s emerging leaders in Shimla district and a potential future contender from the Kusumpti Assembly constituency. In his interview with Bhawani Negi, he speaks about his motivation for entering public life, his vision for grassroots development, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Q: You come from the historic Junga-Keonthal royal family. How has this legacy influenced your approach to public service and politics?
A: While I am proud of my family’s historical legacy, I firmly believe that in today’s India, democracy governs the country and stands above royalty. I am here because of the people’s mandate, and that is what truly matters. Our family’s tradition has always been one of public service, whether in power or out of power, and that commitment continues to guide me. Public service today is not about lineage; it is about accountability, hard work, and earning the trust of the people through honest performance and an unwavering dedication to the welfare of every citizen.
Q: What motivated you to enter grassroots politics and contest the Zila Parishad election from Chamiyana ward?
A: My decision to enter grassroots politics was driven by my desire to serve people, where governance has the most direct impact on their daily lives. Hailing from the area, I understand the aspirations as well as the challenges faced by rural communities, which I have witnessed firsthand. Equally important, the people of Chamiyana wanted me to represent them, and it was at their insistence that I decided to contest the election. The Zila Parishad provides an opportunity to bring about meaningful development at the grassroots level. It is the institution where decisions directly influence people’s lives. I wanted to be part of that process and contribute to improving the lives of the people in my area. Public service has also been a long-standing tradition in my family. My late grandfather, Raja Hitendra Sen Bahadur, was the first MLA from the Kusumpti Assembly constituency, elected as an Independent in the inaugural Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in 1952. He was instrumental in establishing institutions such as a school and a hospital, which continue to serve the people even today. That legacy has reinforced my belief that public life is about service.
Q: Your victory margin was significant. What do you believe were the key factors behind the support you received from voters?
A: My victory is not mine alone – it belongs to every voter who placed their trust in me. I believe the people wanted change. Rising above party lines, they voted for and supported me, which became evident from the election results. I am also grateful to the dedicated BJP workers, the party leadership, and every volunteer whose tireless efforts made this victory possible.
Q: What are the most pressing issues facing the people of Chamiyana ward, and how do you plan to address them?
A: From my own experience, the priorities of the Chamiyana ward are better road connectivity, quality healthcare, improved schools, strengthening Koti College, and greater support for farmers. Despite being close to Shimla, the area still has tremendous scope for development, particularly in basic infrastructure and public services. Another key priority is greater community engagement and the resolution of long-pending civic issues that have remained unaddressed for years. One such issue is the establishment of a fire station, which was sanctioned by the Central Government through the efforts of my mother, Vijay Jyoti Sen, a senior BJP leader. Unfortunately, it has yet to become operational despite several devastating fire incidents that have destroyed people’s homes and lifelong savings. Similarly, although we have a hospital, it does not have an ambulance service. I will make every effort to ensure that the hospital is equipped with at least two ambulances so that people have timely access to emergency medical care. I will take up these and other important issues with the state government and work closely with the authorities concerned to ensure their early resolution and the timely implementation of development projects.
Q: Youth engagement was a major theme of your campaign. What specific initiatives would you like to undertake for young people in the area?
A: Youth were at the heart of my campaign because they are the driving force behind the future of Chamiyana and Himachal Pradesh. My priority is to create an environment where young people have opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to society. First and foremost, I want to bring quality higher education closer to their doorsteps so that they do not have to move away in search of better educational opportunities. My second priority is to create employment opportunities that encourage the ‘ghar wapsi’ of our youth by enabling them to return home and build successful careers in their own villages and communities. Another important initiative is to establish libraries at the Gram Panchayat level, making books more accessible and providing dedicated study spaces where students can prepare for competitive examinations. I believe that investing in education, skills, and employment will empower our youth and strengthen the future of our villages.
Q: Himachal Pradesh faces challenges such as unemployment, migration from villages and infrastructure gaps. What solutions do you propose to tackle these issues?
A: These challenges are interconnected and require a long-term, integrated approach. To reduce migration from villages, we must ensure that rural areas have quality roads, healthcare, education, digital connectivity, and reliable basic services so that young people can build their future without leaving their homes. To address unemployment, we need to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship while creating opportunities in sectors such as horticulture and tourism. Sustainable development at the grassroots level is the key to overcoming these challenges.
Q: Will you contest Assembly elections in 2027 from Kusumpti Assembly constituency on BJP ticket?
A: At this stage, my complete focus is on fulfilling the mandate that the people of the Chamiyana ward have given me. They have elected me to serve them, and I want to justify their trust through sincere work on the ground. As far as the 2027 Assembly elections are concerned, that decision rests with the party leadership. As a dedicated BJP worker, I will always abide by the party’s decision.