In campaigns, Singh Jr puts royalty aside

AschiefministerVirbhadraSingh,83,theoldestcandidate in the fray, prepares to fight his last elections before his political retirement, his son, 29-year-old VikramadityaSingh,islookingat making an electoral debut.

Fighting as a Congress candidate from Shimla (rural), the scion of the royal family of Bushahr, fondly known as ‘Tikka Sahab’(RoyalPrince),istryingto strike an emotional chord with voters of the assembly segment nurtured by his father for five years. AnalumnusofBishopCotton School, Vikramaditya does not adorn the typical political attire during campaigning. Insteadhepreferstowearcasuals and accompanied by his associates,comprisinglocalsandsome friends, mingles with the crowd.

Before he leaves for the campaign, his sister Aparajita Singh, whoismarriedtothegrandsonof Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, leaves for Basantpur of Shimla ruralforcampaign.Aparajitahas beencampingheresinceVikramaditya was given a party ticket.

Heinteracts with ajournalist, who wanted his views on the BJP’smovetoprojectDhumalas CM. “ItshowstheBJPisafraidof VirbhadraSinghandtheyhadto changetheirstrategy.Theywant the onus of defeat to be on Dhumal,” he says.

Accompaniedbytheyoungest MLA of Punjab, Angad Singh, whodrivesthevehicle,andPradeepVerma,aCongressmanfrom Shimlaruralassemblysegment, Vikramaditya leaves for Kach- chighati,anurbanareaofShimla rural segment.

“I have visited entire Shimla ruralconstituency.Iknowpeople personally and in the last five years, I have been in constant touch with them,” he says.

Vikramaditya has a team of professionals who manage his Facebook,TwitterandInstagram account.TheycaptureVikramaditya’severymovementandkeep updating his social media pages. Vikramaditya,beforeleavingfor theday,himselfchecksthetrends on social media.

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