Infighting in BJP gets intense

Shimla, Nov 27 (UNI) The infighting over the allocation of tickets in the BJP unit in Himachal Pradesh intensified today after the party's declaration of naming former chief minister P K Dhumal as its chief ministerial candidate.

In about a dozen seats, the party is facing rebellion from within its ranks with the leaders threatening to contest as an independent or from the BSP ticket.

In Kasumpati Assembly constituency, party's Shimla District president Roop Dass Kashyap has announced his resignation from the party following its decision to field Tarsem Bharti from the constituency.

Senior BJP leader and former minister Karan Singh has already announced his decision to contest elections as the BSP candidate from Banjar constituency of the Kullu district.

His elder and former MP Maheshwar Singh has also served an ultimatum to the party to re-consider its decision on fielding Khimi Ram from Kullu after which he would decide his future course of action.

The dissident activity within the BJP is severe in Kangra district where rebels in four constituencies out of a total of 16 are likely to mar its chances there.

In Kangra constituency, opposition to the party's official candidate, Vidya Sagar, continued with the rebels seeking an apology from him for contesting against the official candidate during the last assembly polls.

In Nurpur and Gangath constituencies, former party legislators Rakesh Pathania and Desh Raj have announced his decision to contest elections as an independent against the official candidates.

MORE UNI