Anil Sharma Vows to Fight for Kotli College, Seeks CM’s Intervention; Questions Bhuvnesh’s Stand

June 12, 2026

Mandi: BJP MLA Anil Sharma has vowed to wage a decisive battle to prevent the closure of Kotli College in Mandi district, which had previously been merged with another institution. He stated, “This is my college; I was the one who got it opened. If I have to fight even the Chief Minister to save it, I will not back down.”

Anil Sharma made these remarks this morning while addressing a group of people who had approached him with a demand to save Kotli College. He emphasized that the college was established through his initiative and pledged to fight at every level to preserve it. After meeting with students and parents, Sharma recalled that Kotli College was opened about 12 years ago after securing approval from the then Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh.

Anil noted that while there was no significant demand for a college in the area at the time, he had established it with an eye on future needs. He mentioned that former minister Kaul Singh Thakur had opposed the college’s opening back then, yet it was established based on his (Sharma’s) request.

Will seek an extra year from the CM: Anil

Anil Sharma stated that the biggest challenge facing the college is low student enrollment. He had warned last year that the college could face a crisis if the number of students did not increase. He informed that students and parents had submitted a memorandum to him. He now plans to meet the Chief Minister to request an additional year for the college, allowing time for efforts to boost enrollment.

MLA targets a leader from his own party

During this interaction, Anil Sharma also took aim at a leader from his own party, Bhuvnesh Thakur. He questioned the whereabouts of those making grand statements today when Jairam Thakur was the Chief Minister. He asked why this issue was not raised back then if they were so concerned about the college.

No interest in social media politics

Taking a dig at social activists, the MLA remarked that some people talk about measures like hunger strikes merely to stay relevant on social media and grab headlines. He also questioned why it was not deemed necessary to have the MLA accompany the delegation when meeting the Education Minister. He has no interest in social media politics; his primary objective is the development of the area and making every possible effort to save Kotli College.

It is worth noting that on June 5, the Sukhu government merged 10 degree colleges in the state that had fewer than 100 students. Kotli College in Mandi is among them. Although the Sukhu government has reinstated three of these 10 colleges following public opposition, the order to close the remaining seven stands.