Third Front Buzz Returns in Himachal as Ram Lal Markanda Explores New Political Platform

Political discussions in Himachal Pradesh are gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections , with former minister Ram Lal Markanda exploring the possibility of forming a third political front to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the hill state.

Markanda, who was expelled from the BJP after contesting the 2024 Assembly bypoll from Lahaul and Spiti as an Independent , has begun meeting political leaders across different districts to gauge support for a new political formation. The move comes at a time when several leaders in the state are believed to be discontented within their parties , creating space for discussions about an alternative platform.

The former minister said he has already held consultations with leaders in Kullu, Bilaspur, Mandi and Hamirpur districts , and plans to extend his outreach to other regions of the state in the coming weeks. According to him, the objective of these meetings is to assess whether there are credible and winnable candidates willing to join hands in building a new political front before the next election.

“If suitable candidates emerge and there is sufficient support across districts, we will move forward with registering a new political party and releasing a manifesto ,” Markanda said, adding that a final decision will only be taken after consultations across the state are completed.

Although the names of leaders attending these discussions have not been disclosed, political sources suggest that several former MLAs and senior political figures have participated in closed-door meetings in recent weeks. One such meeting held in Kullu district reportedly saw the participation of more than 20 leaders , indicating growing interest among dissatisfied politicians seeking an alternative political platform.

The development has also triggered reactions from the ruling Congress government. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently remarked that the idea of a third front in Himachal Pradesh is not new, noting that such experiments have emerged multiple times in the past. However, he pointed out that earlier attempts failed to establish themselves as a lasting political force and often remained temporary developments in the state’s political landscape.

Himachal Pradesh has historically witnessed a two-party electoral system , with power alternating between the Congress and the BJP for decades. The state’s political pattern is often shaped by strong anti-incumbency , with voters frequently choosing to replace the ruling party in successive elections.

Attempts to create a third political alternative have surfaced several times over the years. In 1967 , former speaker Thakur Sen Negi launched the Lok Raj Party , while ahead of the 1990 Assembly elections , the Janata Dal , led by Vijay Singh Mankotia , emerged briefly as a third force and aligned with the BJP.

Another significant experiment came in the late 1990s when former Union minister Sukh Ram founded the Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) after breaking away from the Congress. The party won five seats in the 1998 Assembly elections and played a decisive role in the formation of the BJP-led government at the time. However, its influence gradually declined and it eventually merged back with the Congress.

Similarly, in 2012 , dissident BJP leaders led by Maheshwar Singh formed the Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP) , but the party struggled to build lasting political influence.

Political analysts say the biggest challenge for any new formation in Himachal Pradesh is the strong organisational networks of national parties , along with the financial and logistical demands of contesting elections across the state’s geographically scattered hill constituencies .

With nearly two years remaining before the 2027 Assembly elections , Markanda’s consultations are still at an early stage. Whether the effort will evolve into a formal political party or a broader alliance of regional leaders remains to be seen.

For now, the renewed discussions around a third front have added a fresh dimension to the state’s political landscape, even as history suggests that transforming such initiatives into a stable third pillar in Himachal politics will require considerable political backing and organisational strength.