Former deputy speaker files nomination papers as independent

Shimla, Nov 27 (UNI) The rebellion within the Congress over the distribution of tickets in Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections has remained more or less contained with reports of rebels threatening to contest against the official candidate being received from four constituencies only.

In Arki constituency of Solan district, former deputy speaker and Congress leader, Dharam Pal, today filed his nomination papers as an independent against the party's official candidate Prakash Chand Karad.

Earlier, the entire party unit had resigned en masse in protest against the Congress's decision of not re-nominating sitting legislator from the constituency.

Another rebel in Ramesh Thakur today threatened to contest elections against the party's official candidate from Solan constituency if it did not reconsider its decision of fielding Kailash Prashar.

The party activists and official bearers of frontal organisations of the party are also holding secret meetings to decide their future course of action in the constituency.

Reports of dissidence were also received from Rampur and Kasumpati constituencies, both in Shimla district.

Rampur assembly constituency is represented by state Horticulture Minister Singhi Ram, while Sohan Lal represents Kasumpati constituency.

UNI