Shimla, March 6 -- In a surprise move, the Congress on Thursday fielded its Kangra district president, Anurag Sharma 48, as the party's candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections from Himachal Pradesh. Sharma, a confidant of chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and president of the Billing Paragliding Association, filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha elections from Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. Sharma has been close to chief minister Sukhu. Anurag's father, Pyare Lal, was also close to the Congress stalwart Virbhadra Singh. Anurag Sharma is currently the president of the International Bir Billing Paragliding Association, which has been organising international-level paragliding championships. He filed his nomination in the presence of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Prior to this, the CM held a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly, informing the MLAs of the high command's decision regarding the Rajya Sabha candidate. The BJP, meanwhile, did not field a candidate this time. Consequently, Anurag Sharma's Rajya Sabha seat is almost certain. The official announcement will be made on March 16. The election, scheduled on March 16, is being held to fill the vacancy created by BJP MP Indu Bala Goswami, whose term expires on April 9. Sharma's nomination marks a significant shift in the race, as he emerged as a wildcard choice over heavyweights such as former Union minister Anand Sharma, state unit chief Pratibha Singh, and the CM's political adviser, Sunil Sharma. His elevation is seen as a strategic move by the party to consolidate its footprint in Kangra, the state's largest and most politically vital district. Sharma was appointed the district unit chief only in January, a move aimed at injecting fresh energy into the grassroots organisation. A graduate in Maths, Anurag Sharma himself has been active in student politics since 1995 and has steadily climbed the organisational ladder at both district and state levels. According to the Election Commission's schedule, the last date for filing nominations is March 5, followed by scrutiny on March 6. Candidates may withdraw their names until March 9. If required, polling will take place on March 16 between 9am and 4pm, with the counting of ballots scheduled for 5pm the same day. After the nomination, the CM said that Anurag has been associated with the Congress for 30 years. This decision was made after consultation with everyone. He expressed his gratitude to party's national president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for sending a grassroots worker to the Rajya Sabha. "One thing was very clear this time that only a person from Himachal would be sent to Rajya Sabha as fielding an outsider hurts the sentiments of the party workers. Even Rahul had made it clear that anyone holding political positions will not be considered," shared Sukhu. On BJP not fielding any candidate, the CM said, "Even if BJP had fielded a candidate they would have faced defeat. The present 40 MLAs of Congress are dedicated workers of the party and its ideology. They are not for sale." "Sending a grassroots leader to the Rajya Sabha is a very big thought. Certainly, an ordinary worker who might never have imagined reaching the Rajya Sabha has got the opportunity because of Rahul Gandhi's vision," Sukhu said. "Anurag is a young leader who has emerged from the organisation. He has worked in the NSUI, Youth Congress and Seva Dal and later became the president of the District Congress Committee. Leaders like him represent the grassroots strength of the party," Sukhu said. PWD minister Vikramaditya said, "It is good that the party has honoured the commitment of grassroot level workers and the youth are getting more representation. This will definitely boost the morale of the party workers." Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma on Thursday said that "self-respect is very expensive in politics" and that "speaking the truth is now considered a crime," after the party nominated Kangra district Congress Committee president Anurag Sharma as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh. Speaking to the media in Shimla before leaving for Delhi, Anand Sharma said, "I will not say that I am disappointed, but I will say one thing self-respect is very expensive in politics. One has to pay the price for it, and speaking the truth is now considered a crime." "Why I was not sent and why there was a last-minute withdrawal the answer can only be given by those who take the decisions and on whose advice the decisions are taken. I am not in a position to comment on it," he said. "I am not afraid of what has happened. Those who take the decisions have the authority - the supreme command," he added. "Perhaps in their wisdom they have taken the call. They can explain the merits and demerits. I cannot explain whatever happened," he said....