Jai Ram Thakur elected Himachal BJP president

Shimla, Jan 5 (UNI) Mr Jai Ram Thakur, MLA, was today formally elected Himachal Pradesh BJP state president, ending months of prolonged deliberations over the selection of the candidate.

Mr Thakur's election as the party state president was a smooth affair after the party high command arrived at a consensus on his name after prolonged deliberations, which delayed the election by more than two months.

Ten party leaders, including former union minister and BJP National Vice President, Shanta Kumar, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and outgoing president, Suresh Bharawaj, proposed Mr Thakur's name in the presence of central observer Sahib Singh Verma.

Former Punjab BJP President, Brig Lal Renwas, who was appointed election officer declared Mr Thakur elected president since there was no other candidate in the fray.

The BJP state council also elected Damodar Dass, Vimla Kashyap, Jai Krishan Sharma and Krishan Kapoor as members of the National Council.

Enthused BJP workers danced to the tunes of drum and nagaras outside 'Deep Kamal', the venue of the election and state party head office.

Mr Thakur, a second term BJP MLA from Chacheot constituency in Mandi district, has a strong organisational background, including his innings in the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

UNI