Himachal Assembly byelections: BJP fields all six disqualified rebel Congress MLAs

TNR Desk

The Central Election Committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party has declared the candidates for the by-elections to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections on six Assembly seats of Himachal Pradesh.

The BJP has given tickets to all the disqualified Congress rebel MLAs. Sudhir Sharma has been fielded from Dharamshala Assembly seat, Ravi Thakur from Lahaul-Spiti, Rajinder Rana from Sujanpur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Chaitanya Sharma from Gagret and Davinder Kumar Bhutto from Kutlehar.

The six disqualified Himachal Pradesh Congress rebel MLAs and three Independent legislators who had resigned from the Assembly, subsequently joining the BJP, are set to return to their native places this week after a month-long absence from the state.

Currently putting up in Chandigarh, the nine former MLAs had supported BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan in the recent Rajya Sabha election, altering the political landscape of the region. Congress nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi had lost to Mahajan despite the party having 40 MLAs against 25 of the BJP. After a tie at 34 votes each, Mahajan won through draw of lots.

The BJP is planning a grand welcome for the homecoming of the nine leaders, strategising to capitalise on the event as a significant political spectacle. Plans for their return are being deliberated, with arrangements likely to be finalised by evening. The party aims to stage elaborate receptions in the constituencies of all nine MLAs, with senior party leaders entrusted with organisational responsibilities.

Preparations are underway in Hamirpur, Kangra, Una and Solan districts, where district presidents have been tasked with coordinating the welcome ceremonies and mobilising party workers. It is anticipated that the former MLAs will not return en masse but in batches of two, ensuring a ceremonious reception each day.