In his debut contest, Dr Rajiv Bharadwaj, 62, of the BJP is taking on Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma in the parliamentary seat made up of 13 assembly segments of HP's Kangra district and four of Chamba district.

While Congress banks on Sharma’s stature and maturity in politics, BJP hopes to cash in on his outsider tag and seek votes on PM Modi’s name.

"We are doing politics of development, she is doing politics of entertainment," said Singh, adding that this "picture" directed by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur would fail at the "box office" on June 1.

Himachal Pradesh CM says if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can contest from Varanasi outside Gujarat, why can’t Anand Sharma contest in Kangra, which is in his home state Himachal? 

The party picks former MLA Satpal Raizada against Union Minister of BJP, Anurag Thakur on Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat, yet to declare candidates for by-poll in three Assembly segments in HP.