Dissidence plagues Congress, BJP in Lahaul Spiti

Shimla, Oct 23 (UNI) The Congress and the BJP units in Himachal Pradesh, grappling with dissidence in the tribal Lahaul Spiti constituency, are not acting tough with their rebel candidates as of now, hoping that persuasion will succeed.

While four BJP district leaders have threatened to work against the official candidate Ram Lal Markanday, Congress' Raghbir Singh, who has been denied ticket by the party, has hinted at contesting elections against the official party candidate.

However, both the parties are not concerned over the development and are hoping that persuasion and talks with their respective rebel leaders would sort out all irritants.

Talking to UNI here, BJP's state president Jai Ram Thakur said discussions were on with the district party leaders Mohan All Religpa, Sohan Singh, Champa Chhering and Rigjin Hairapa, who were opposed to Markanday's candidature.

''Besides holding talks with them, the party has urged them not to take things too far and we hope the matter will be resolved amicably,'' he said.

Replying to a question on whether the BJP would take disciplinary action against them, Mr Thakur said things would not drift to that level and would be resolved before that.

The BJP leaders are opposing Mr. Markanday's candidature on the plea that he had recently joined the party for personnel gains after resigning from Himachal Vikas Congress (HVC) and Congress, while they were with the party during its thick and thin.

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