Virbhadra’s son, Kaul Singh’s daughter on Cong contenders’ list
SHIMLA: As the process for filing nominations in the upcoming assembly elections began on Monday, hectic lobbying for tickets got underway within the Congress as the state’s central election committee went into a huddle in New Delhi.
The meeting, however, remained inconclusive as a panel of two-three nominees were shortlisted for some segments.
This time, the state election committee has unanimously decided to retain the sitting legislators and the ministers.
From Shimla urban, the names of party general secretary Harbhajan Singh Bhajji, former general secretary Kuldeep Rathore and Himachal Pradesh tourism development corporation vice-chairman Harish Janartha figured in the list.
Deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, has thrown his weight behind Rathore. Transport minister GS Bali has been shortlisted for the Nagrota Bagwan constituency, ending speculations that he, like Anil Sharma, could switch over to the BJP.
The state election panel has also unanimously decided to give a go by to its ‘one family one ticket’ rule that it adopted in Punjab. The state election committee has cleared Vikramaditya Singh’s name as a single choice for Shimla rural.
The panel also cleared a single name from Mandi assembly segment, where health minister Kaul Singh Thakur’s daughter Champa Thakur will fight against Anil Sharma, who was holding a cabinet berth in the Virbhadra Singh government but crossed over the fence and joined BJP a couple of days ago. Kaul Singh will contest from his home turf Drang.
The state election committee recommendations will be forwarded to the three-member central election committee.