ADHERE TO COVID NORMS, HP POLL OFFICER TELLS PARTIES

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh chief electoral officer C Paulrasu said strict instructions have been issued to various political parties and district election officers to ensure adherence of Covid-19 standard operating procedures during the byelections for Mandi Parliamentary Constituency and Fatehpur, Arki and Jubbal-kotkhai assembly constituencies.

Door-to-door campaigns can be done with five persons, including candidates and their representatives. Road shows and motor, bike, cycle rallies will not be allowed. During the campaign through video, not more than 50 persons would be allowed. For meetings to be held in the hall or other indoor venues, 30 percent of allowed capacity or 200 persons, whichever is less, may attend.

Jai Ram flays Pratibha over her previous tenures in Lok Sabha

Himachal chief minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday lashed out at Pratibha Singh, saying that though she was a two-time MP from Mandi, she rarely visited the constituency and only came to seek votes for her late husband, Virbhadra Singh. While canvassing for BJP candidate Khushal Thakur in Sarkaghat, the CM said, “We had promised that we would not say anything on our behalf, and will only contest elections on the basis of the developmental.”

Entire state is missing Virbhadra: Pratibha Congress party candidate Pratibha Singh on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government and said that this by-election will prove to be a huge public opinion against the rising inflation, unemployment and dictatorial policies of BJP. While addressing election meetings, she said, “Not only me but the whole state is missing Virbhadra Singh today. He may no longer be with us but his principles will always be with them” she said.