New Delhi: BJP is reportedly facing serious dilemma, a fortnight ahead of the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls. Sources said that the central leadership is under pressure for projecting former Chief Minister and party veteran Prem Kumar Dhumal as the CM face for the state.
Reportedly, the race for CM post is between Dhumal and the Union Health Minister Jay Prakash Nadda. However, official BJP spokespersons have denied of any race between party candidates for the CM post. They asserted that whoever is CM, will be of BJP.
During 2012 Assembly elections, the party got trounced due to internal strife between two former CMs Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar. BJP also faced rebels in 18 constituencies.
Even this time, it was learnt that the infighting among camps of party veterans is the main reason for the delay in the final list announcement, as they are pushing their own candidates.
Even after the Central Election Committee's meeting was on October 14—attended by both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah, BJP announced the candidates' list on October 18.
Last week the Millennium Post reported that during the CEC meeting PM Modi also asked to consider 10-15 per cent women candidate in the final list of candidates.
Since, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the ticket distribution has become more compound for Bharatiya Janata Party with its growing organizational strength.
The single phased HP Assembly Elections— is scheduled for November 9 in 68 seats and around as many as 275 candidates, including Prem Kumar Dhumal, filed their nomination on Tuesday.
On Sunday BJP also released a list of star campaigners for the upcoming elections and the list includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior cabinet ministers, Rajnath Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Nitin Gadkari and others.