Himachal Pradesh is all set to witness a battle of the political stalwarts. After the visit of BJP President Amit Shah to the hill State, it is the turn of Congress vice-president now who has been invited by the State Government to celebrate the completion of its 4-year rule in the State.
Rahul's visit to Dharamsala is being seen as an attempt by Congress to counter the attack launched by Shah.
The eagerness of Congress to bring Rahul Gandhi can easily be gauged from the fact that the date of four-year completion celebration was advanced by a day. The event is now scheduled to be held on December 24 instead of December 25. The celebration now coincides with BJPs handing over of chargesheet to Governor Acharya Dev Vrat against the Himachal Pradesh government.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh himself went to Delhi to extend invitation to Rahul Gandhi to attend the 4-year completion celebration of the Himachal government. Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri had also accompanied the CM.
The visit of Rahul Gandhi to Himachal Pradesh comes at a time when his image has grown due to his tough stand against demonetisation and, people adversely affected by the note ban.
BJP President Amit Shah visited Himachal Pradesh last week and is expected to be here again at least three times more in near future. This is not all. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Himachal Pradesh sometimes in the beginning of next year is also on the cards, BJP sources indicated.
The visits of the stalwarts of both the main political parties are expected to warm up the political scene in winters in the state which will go to Assembly polls next year.
Having got Rahul's assent, Himachal Congress has called a meeting of its state executive on Friday. Virbhadra Singh will also attend the meet. Congress Spokesperson Naresh Chauhan said the program of celebration on December 24 will be discussed in the meeting.
Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri is expected to be the minister in-charge of the arrangements of the program at Dharamshala.