Himachal ex-CM, actress, former Army officer in race as BJP may announce candidate for Mandi Lok Sabha seat much in advance
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The Newz Radar
MANDI: The BJP can announce the tickets for the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh ahead of time and the plan to select candidate early is said to be underway.
There’s a buzz among ticket aspirants, the delay learnt to be only in Delhi. There are around 150 Lok Sabha seats where the BJP is likely to announce candidates in the coming days. These are the seats where the BJP had faced defeat. Therefore, the party has decided to lock horns here well before time.
There’s also a discussion across the country regarding the Mandi parliamentary seat, the only one held by the Congress in Himachal Pradesh. Although it was previously with the BJP, it went to Congress after the byelection in 2021. Sources said discussions are ongoing about announcing the candidates for the Mandi seat ahead of schedule. The BJP’s strategy is to allow candidates where the party lost extra time to connect with the voters.
A long list of aspirants for the BJP ticket from Mandi parliamentary seat is emerging. However, former Chief Minister and Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur’s name is foremost. However, Jai Ram has already stated that he won’t contest the elections.
Apart from him, the names of former BJP candidate Brig Khushal Thakur (retd), Manali Municipal Council chairman Chaman Kapoor, BJP leader Ajay Rana and Ashray Sharma are being discussed. A Kargil hero, Brigadier Khushal has previously on the BJP ticket in the byelection and lost to Pratibha Singh.
Chaman Kapoor has a good hold in Mandi and Kullu districts because Mandi is his birthplace and Kullu district is his workplace. He also has good relations with Jagat Prakash Nadda and Jai Ram Thakur.
BJP leader Ajay Rana has been struggling for a long time for the ticket. This time too, Ajay Rana is in the race again. Ashray Sharma, who unsuccessfully contested from the seat earlier on the Congress ticket, is also making efforts for the BJP ticket. Ashray has also met Nadda and Jai Ram. Along with them, former MP Maheshwar Singh is also hopeful of the ticket. But looking at his age, the party can make a decision.
Actress Kangana Ranaut has also expressed her desire to contest elections, but the BJP may not field her from Himachal Pradesh. Besides, former Minister Govind Singh Thakur and BJP state secretary Bihari Lal Sharma’s names are also under discussion.
