BJP divides Dharamshala into 4 zones for bypolls

DHARAMSHALA: The BJP has divided the Dharamshala assembly segment in four zones and deputed senior party leaders as in-charge of each zone for the by-polls ahead. The decision came at a closed-door meeting of the state party leaders, held at circuit house here on Monday.


Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur spent two days in this hill destination to galvanise the party workers for the bypolls.

Of the four zones, cabinet ministers Sarveen Choudhary and Bikram Thakur were given charge of two, while deputy speaker Hansraj, a party leader from Chamba, and vice-president of state planning board Ramesh Dhawala were given charge of the other two zones.

The BJP is considering Dharamshala as a crucial assembly segment. The chief minister visited the town twice recently, apart from the visit of senior party leaders.

BJP state chief Satpal Satti, former chief minister Shanta Kumar , state party affairs in-charge and Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey, organizing secretary Pawan Rana and other party bigwigs from Kangra parliamentary constituency joined the meeting.

One big challenge before the party is to decide the candidate from this constituency, as sitting BJP MP Kishan Kapoor, who has resigned as a state minister to contest parliamentary polls, is also making claims to get ticket for his candidate.

The party cannot ignore Kapoor, as he has represented this constituency for more than 20 years and was in the cabinet twice.

Asked about the decision on candidature, Satti said they would be announcing the candidate after the elections are announced. “For now, we are only assigning duties to the party leaders. The names will be discussed with the high command at Delhi and then only any decision will be taken in this regard,” he said.