S Gopal Puri
Shimla: Dr. Rajeev Bindal, the seasoned BJP leader and former Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, is all set to retain his position as the President of the BJP’s Himachal Pradesh unit. On Monday, he filed his nomination for a third consecutive term at the party’s state headquarters in Shimla, in the presence of several senior leaders, including BJP National Vice President Saudan Singh, former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and state in-charge Shrikant Sharma.
His filing comes after weeks of internal consultations and a smooth organizational process that saw party delegate elections held across 8,000 booths, 171 mandals, and 17 districts of the state. These elections were part of the BJP’s structured internal mechanism to elect its state president democratically.
No other candidate has filed nomination papers, and Bindal’s re-election is being viewed as a mere formality. The 114 elected delegates of the party are scheduled to vote on July 1, though a contest is unlikely. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh will formally announce the results at 11 AM on Tuesday at the BJP headquarters.
Dr. Bindal’s return to the top post is seen as a move to ensure organizational stability and continuity as the party prepares for a series of political challenges ahead. These include upcoming municipal elections in Shimla and Mandi and early preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. His leadership is considered crucial in maintaining internal cohesion and re-energizing the BJP cadre across the state.
Widely regarded as a consensus candidate, Bindal has managed to bridge party factions and sustain support from the high command. His past record as a five-time MLA, cabinet minister, and former Speaker adds weight to his reappointment. His medical and social background, as well as his deep roots in party work from the grassroots level, continue to resonate with both workers and senior leadership.
Dr. Bindal thanked the central leadership for their trust and reiterated his commitment to strengthening the party’s base across all 68 assembly constituencies of the state.
With the results to be officially declared on July 1, all eyes are now on the strategic roadmap Dr. Bindal will lay out as he leads the BJP in Himachal Pradesh into a new political phase.
