After losing power over a year back and later denied the post of Congress Legislature party (CLP) leader, Virbhadra Singh is back in the limelight as the party’s hot choice from Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

Returning from Delhi last evening, Virbhadra told The Indian Express, “I am not afraid of the elections. If the party wants my services as Member of Parliament, I am absolutely prepared to give the BJP a run for its money.”

Not surprisingly, the former chief minister has been receiving frantic calls from his supporters in Mandi, Kullu and Rampur, informing him about his prospects in the constituency. Mandi Parliamentary constituency, which also includes three tribal Assembly constituencies of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Bharmaur, besides the Assembly segment of Rampur-Bushehr, has remained Virbhadra Singh’s strongest political fortress.

In the last Assembly elections, held at least three months in advance, the BJP had swept the tribal areas and districts of Mandi and Kullu. That, however, doesn’t worry Virbhadra Singh much if the total number of votes polled by the BJP is any indication. In all, the total margin of votes has been close to 42,000 votes.

Virbhadra Singh even feels that the BSP has been a major factor for the Congress’ defeat in some Assembly segments, including Kullu district, but the tables have turned for the Lok Sabha polls. Two of the BSP’s potential candidates in Kullu — Karan Singh, a former BJP minister, and Dharamvir Dhami — have already returned to the Congress. A BJP minister and Dalit, Mansa Ram, who was BJP candidate at Karsog in Mandi, has also joined the Congress.

The former chief minister, however, admits that Mandi Parliamentary constituency is one of the toughest constituencies of the country. “It’s almost two-third of Himachal and even in April-May, the candidates can’t campaign without a helicopter,” he said.

His advantage here is the fact that he had travelled almost every nook and corner of the area, both as chief minister and earlier as Lok Sabha member. Even as the Congress’ central poll body is yet to put its seal on Virbhadra Singh’s name, the former CM is certainly in readiness. While his supporters are making calculations about Virbhadra Singh’s electoral gains, his detractors are also eager to see that the “Raja” goes to central politics, vacating a slot to them for future strategies.