‘Support Rajeev Bhardwaj, else...' BJP high command's stern

TNR Desk

The BJP high command has passed on a stern message to its leaders in Kangra parliamentary constituency of Himachal Pradesh, particularly those who were eyeing the Lok Sabha poll ticket, to support official candidate Rajeev Bhardwaj in the June 1 election.

The message comes in the wake of the trouble the BJP had faced due to the dissidents in the 2022 Assembly elections when it was hopeful of the success of its ‘Mission Repeat’. The saffron party was then unable to pacify its rebels, which cost it dear when the results were announced.

Apart from sitting Kangra MP Kishan Kapoor, party leaders Trilok Kapoor and Rahul Pathania were in the race for the Lok Sabha poll ticket from the constituency. An IAS officer who had gained considerable appreciation during his posting in Kangra was also said to be in the contention.

While Trilok Kapoor is the BJP state general secretary, Rahul Pathania is a youth leader as well as the zila parishad member from Nurpur. His support to BJP candidate Ranbir Singh Nikka in the 2022 Assembly elections in Nurpur is said to have ensured Nikka got the second-highest victory margin of 18,752 votes in the state, next only to former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur’s 38,183.

Trilok Kapoor had lost to Congress MLA Ashish Butail from Palampur in the Assembly elections. Former Forest Minister Rakesh Pathania, who had lost in the ticket race to Nikka from Nurpur, is also an influential leader of Kangra district.

In its second list for Himachal, the BJP had announced state vice-president Bhardwaj and actress Kangana Ranaut as the candidates from Kangra and Mandi parliamentary constituencies. Bhardwaj is former chairman of the Kangra Central Cooperative Bank and has been associated with the BJP for a long time. He was born on February 9, 1963, in Thame and works as a physician.