A day after the ruling Congress showed doors to seven revels in Himachal Pradesh, rival BJP has also taken the same action against an equal number of its leaders. The action has been taken against seven BJP leaders, contesting elections as an independent candidate against the official party candidate.
State party president, Satpal Singh Satti on Monday ordered to suspend seven rebel candidates for the period of six years besides terminating their primary membership.
lalit Thakur, who is in the fray against BJP candidate from, Bharmour, sitting MlA BK Chauhan and DK Soni from Chamba, Baldev Thakur from Fatehpur, Parveen Sharma from Palampur, Hans Raj Dhiman from Jaswan-Pragpur and Hirdaya Ram from Renuka ji have been suspended from the primary membership of the party with immediate effect.
BJP did not give ticket to sitting MlA Govind Ram from Arki, Rikhi Ram Kaundal from Gehrawni and BK Chauhan from Chamba, however, number of former sitting MlAs were denied ticket.
The party is facing tough challenge in these six Assembly segments as the contests at these constituencies have become triangular. BJP and Congress decided to fight election on all the 68 seats. The CPI (M) and its supported candidates were fighting election on 31 seats. The BSP is the other party, which had put 37 candidates in the electoral fray. However, the party does not have an impressive track record in Himachal Pradesh.
The Congress had expelled seven rebels, who are in fray against the official candidates. Both BJP and Congress had tried hard to quell the dissent of these leaders but despite best efforts these leaders did not give in.
Action by both the parties had been taken to maintain discipline in the party and with 7 rebels in each party, the damage is expected to be neutralised for both the rival parties.
13,677 Divyang voters in Himachal Pradesh
A spokesperson of the State Election Department on Monday said there were 13,677 Divyang (Physically challenged) voters in the State, who would be able to exercise their franchise in the coming Assembly elections.
He said out of total 13,677 Divyang voters, 8,555 were specially-abled, 1,844 visually impaired, 1,388 deaf and dumb and 1,890 others.
He said all arrangements had been made to facilitate the Divyang voters at polling booths. The ramps would be made at the booth for their benefits besides providing wheelchairs, and adult assistant for those voters who can not move by themselves. He said the facility of vehicle would also be made available, wherever possible. The visually impaired voters would be provided the facility of brail voters slip to cast their votes.
The spokesperson said highest number of Divyang voters were in Mandi district with 4,868 such voters while the lowest 68 voters had been indentified in lahaul-Spiti district.
