Spark News India Igniting Minds Daily
In a significant move to finalize the candidature for the lone Chandigarh parliamentary seat, the Congress leadership has announced the selection of Manish Tewari, the current Anandpur Sahib sitting MP and seasoned lawyer, to contest against BJP’s Sanjay Tandon. This decision comes after fervent speculations and internal debates within the party regarding the most suitable candidate for the crucial constituency.
The Congress’ central election committee, convening in Delhi, formally declared Tewari’s candidature along with 15 other nominees. Tewari’s selection over contenders like former Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal and Chandigarh Congress president Harmohinder Singh Lucky underscores the party’s strategic considerations and the preference for a fresh face from the local unit.
Sources familiar with the decision-making process indicate that the demand for a “new face” from within the Chandigarh constituency influenced the leadership’s choice in favor of Tewari, a move aimed at countering the BJP’s nomination of first-timer Sanjay Tandon. This decision aligns with the INDIA bloc seat arrangement, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) opted to field its candidate in the Chandigarh mayoral elections, leaving the Lok Sabha seat for the Congress.
Expressing gratitude for the nomination, Tewari acknowledged the support of his party colleagues and leaders, including former minister Pawan Bansal, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Sonia Gandhi. Emphasizing his commitment to serving his birthplace, Chandigarh, Tewari pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors and address the city’s pressing issues.
Born and raised in Chandigarh, Tewari boasts a rich educational background, having pursued his schooling at St. John’s High School and earning degrees in Economics from DAV College and Law from the University of Delhi. Beyond his political career, Tewari is a distinguished senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, reflecting his expertise and global engagement.
Tewari’s deep-rooted connection with Chandigarh resonates through his family’s legacy, with his mother, Late Amrit Tewari, serving as a former Dean of PGIMER and a nominated councilor, and his father, VN Tewari, a respected professor at Panjab University. Despite representing Anandpur Sahib in the past, Tewari has maintained close ties with Chandigarh, advocating for its residents’ interests and allocating resources from his MPLAD funds to address local issues.
The upcoming elections in Chandigarh, scheduled for June 1, will witness Tewari contesting amidst a voter base of over 6,47,000 individuals, including a significant proportion of first-time and elderly voters. As the Congress-AAP joint candidate, Tewari aims to channel his extensive experience and local insights to secure victory and usher in positive change for the people of Chandigarh.
