Quite disappointing
In Himachal, BJP works to cull dissent, names ‘rebel’ Lakhwinder as spokesperson
In an effort to contain dissident voices within the party, the Himachal Pradesh BJP has appointed former Nalagarh MLA Lakhwinder Rana as the party’s state spokesperson. Rana was among several leaders who revolted openly when Congress turncoats and Independent MLAs were taken into the party fold.
Besides, Kangra BJP MP Kishan Kapoor’s son Sashwat Kapoor has been appointed as the vice-president of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM). Kishan was left disappointed after being denied a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Lakhwinder Rana contested the 2022 Vidhan Sabha election from Nalagarh but lost to BJP rebel and Independent candidate K L Thakur. Recently, Thakur was among the three Independent MLAs who submitted their resignations and joined the saffron fold. While their resignations are pending acceptance by the Vidhan Sabha Speaker, it is certain that the BJP will field Thakur from Nalagarh once his resignation is accepted.
According to a party insider, “Lakhwinder Rana had threatened to quit the party when K L Thakur joined the BJP after resigning last month. He was tasked with pacifying the dissidents.”
A BJP leader said, “Replacing Kishan Kapoor from Kangra, the BJP has nominated Rajeev Bhardwaj this time. Kishan Kapoor, a resident of Dharamshala in Kangra district, was upset on two accounts. Firstly, he was not given a ticket this time. Secondly, Congress turncoat Sudhir Sharma was fielded from Dharamshala, ignoring other BJP leaders who had contested the 2021 election against Sharma. The party pacified Kishan by appointing his son as the vice-president of its youth wing.”
The appointment letters for Lakhwinder Rana and Sashwat Kapoor were issued by Himachal BJP chief Dr Rajeev Bindal, who had previously stated that party leaders making noise over the candidature of rebel MLAs on BJP tickets can assert their claims in 2027.
A source further said, “Many BJP leaders, except Dr Ramlal Markanda of Lahaul and Spiti who rebelled against the party over the candidature of Congress turncoats on BJP tickets, have slim chances of getting Congress tickets in the bypolls to be held along with the Lok Sabha elections on June 1.”
Saurabh Parashar – 2024-04-16 14:00