Kewal Singh Pathania: A Rising Star in Himachal Pradesh Politics
Emerging Political Leader in Himachal Pradesh
S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: Kewal Singh Pathania, a 53-year-old Congress legislator representing Shahpur in Kangra district, is steadily establishing himself as a significant political figure in lower Himachal Pradesh, combining his experiences with a strong connection to local issues.
Having been a loyal supporter of the late Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Pathania has successfully navigated the party's transition under new leadership. Remarkably, as a first-term MLA elected in 2022, he took on the role of Chief Whip, a position often avoided by newcomers, and has aimed to leverage it for the benefit of his constituents.
In the 2022 state assembly elections, Pathania secured 36,603 votes, defeating the incumbent from the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin exceeding 12,000 votes, as per election commission records.
From International Conferences to Local Engagement
After a week-long trip, Pathania returned to Chandigarh around 3 a.m. on Tuesday following his participation in the International Conference of State Legislatures Summit in Boston, which featured a session at Harvard University. Just hours later, he was at Chitkara University discussing sustainable tourism and eco-tourism initiatives for Himachal before heading directly to his constituency.
By early Thursday, he had successfully secured ₹10 lakh for the repair of a damaged bridge during a video call with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, with local residents present.
Proactive Crisis Management
Even while in the U.S., Pathania remained accessible. When a murder case in his constituency delayed the victim's cremation, he coordinated remotely to expedite the last rites, a decision praised by locals for alleviating additional distress.
“In my childhood, it was a dream to have shoes for my bare feet,” he shared. “Today, I stood at Harvard as a representative in the International Legislative Council.”
Advocating for Development and Defense
During his time in Boston, Pathania highlighted Dharamsala’s eco-tourism potential, promoting activities at Pong Dam and various trekking routes, while also supporting infrastructure projects linked to conservation, such as ropeways.
Back home, he visited agricultural regions with university experts to tackle crop damage and advocate for organic farming. On a national level, he has called for the establishment of a dedicated Himalayan Regiment in the Indian Army to honor Himachal’s military legacy.
Filling the Leadership Void
Pathania’s blend of academic involvement, crisis management, and community outreach indicates he is positioning himself to address a leadership gap in lower Himachal. Whether his initiatives will lead to lasting political influence in Kangra is yet to be determined.