March 26,2024
The decision of BJP leadership to field six disqualified Congress rebel MLAs, who had joined BJP on March 23, in the coming by-elections for the six Assembly constituencies, has evoked strong reaction from several BJP leaders and office bearers .
The BJP has given ticket to Ravi Thakur ( Lahaul-Spiti) , Rajender Rana (Sujanpur) , Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), ID Lakhanpal ( Badsar) , Devinder Bhutto ( Bangana) and Chaitanya Sharma ( Gagret) .
Former minister and three times MLA from Lahaul – Spiti Ram Lal Markada, along with several of his supporters and block level BJP leaders have resigned from BJP after announcement of BJP ticket to Ravi Thakur.
Talking on mobile phone, he said, “I have resigned from BJP along with several supporters to contest the Assembly election as an Independent candidate; a core committee meeting is being held tonight to decide future course of action.”
Former MLA from Gagret Assembly constituency Rakesh Kalia, who had joined BJP after quitting Congress on denial of party ticket in the last Assembly election, has also resigned. The supporters of BJP candidate in the last election Rajesh Thakur had already started campaigning after disqualification of Chaitanya Sharma and his supporters are also distressed after the announcement of ticket to Chaitanya Sharma.
Former minister and four times MLA Virender Kanwar has also announced to contest the coming By-election from Bangana Assembly constituency and campaigned in the constituency on Tuesday, ignoring the programme of former CM Jai Ram Thakur in the constituency.
The supporters of former CM PK Dhumal are also angered at the decision to nominate Rajender Rana from Sujanpur constituency.
It is notable Rana had defeated Dhumal in 2017 Assembly election, depriving him a chance to become the CM for the third time after the defeat despite being a Chief Ministerial candidate of BJP, giving a chance to Jai Ram Thakur of becoming the CM.
The Election Commission of India has already announced to hold by-elections in the six Assembly constituencies along with Lok Sabha elections on June 1.