'Time is running out for me as minister but being father my blessings with Ashray'
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Power minister Anil Sharma, who is in spot over his son — Ashray Sharma, fielded as Congress candidate from Mandi Parliamentary constituency on Wednesday said the time is really running out for him as a cabinet minister, but added 'as a father my blessings are with my son.'
"I am aware of my position, and also my future. They (BJP) will definitely throw me out from the party, and sack from the cabinet. I am prepared for this. But, I will complete my term as MLA for five years," Sharma told the Millennium Post here.
With BJP fixing Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's campaign meeting in Mandi assembly constituency, Sharma skipped to Shimla but did not attend the office. He was elected from Mandi (Sadar) on the BJP ticket and was inducted as a cabinet minister.
Sharma said he had already made it clear to the Chief Minister that it was not possible for him to campaign against his son.
"Now, they are forcing me, and even blacking my name. Only yesterday some mysterious posters were printed with my photographs and an appeal was made to the voters to support Ram Swaroop Sharma on behalf of me. This is treachery. I have approached the police seeking a probe into this poster and a Facebook post. It's the handiwork of the BJP workers," said Sharma, who is the son of Sukh Ram, former telecom minister.
Sukh Ram had joined the Congress along with Ashray Sharma to contest the Mandi Parliamentary constituency, which was also represented by Sukh Ram thrice, and also by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
Looking in defiant mood, Sharma said, "He doesn't want to hang on for a cabinet position too long. This will be a letdown to his son, who is beginning his political career. It's big honour the Congress has given to him at a very young age. As a father, I also want to see him attaining heights in the politics as his grandfather (my father) Sukh Ram acquired."
On prospects of his son, Sharma said, "The elections are a gamble and the voters are masters. There have been numerable examples when tables were turned against winnable candidates. Nobody should take victory for granted. Even those rated as weakest have won the elections. I wish the best to my son, whom the BJP has started trolling from day one."
He also warned the Chief Minister not to use public platforms to abuse his family or make the election as an issue of prestige for himself. Ashray is a new face in politics. Let the contest remain confined to two candidates – Ram Sawoop Sharma and Ashray. In 2014, Ram Swaroop won the poll in Narendra Modi's name. This time he should ask the voters on own performance as MP. Let people decide where does he stand in the contest, instead of banking on the Chief Minister's name.
