Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda is set to hold a roadshow in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on April 22, followed by a rally.
The development assumes significance as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to be address a rally in Kangra district on April 23 — a day before Nadda’s visit.
Kangra is emerging as the first choice of the political parties considering the highest number of assembly seats — 15 out of total 68. Of the total 15 assembly segments, the saffron party had won 11 in the 2017 elections.
The state BJP unit is describing the road-show and rally as sounding the poll bugle in state, which is set to go to polls this year end.
Only recently, AAP witnessed a mass defection, including its state president, to the BJP. AAP’s Himachal Pradesh chief Anoop Kesari, general secretary (organisation) Satish Thakur, and its Una president Iqbal Singh joined the BJP at Nadda’s residence in the national capital, with the Union Minister Anurag Thakur playing a significant role.
Thakur has been visiting his home state for the past few months and taking stock of election preparations.
This would be Nadda’s second campaign in his home state in April.
As per preliminary itinerary, Nadda will land at Gaggal airport and will begin his roadshow of one kilometre to Nagrota Bazaar. The procession will go to Gandhi ground where he will address a rally.
Later in the day, the BJP chief is likely to meet senior party leader and former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar.
Nadda’s schedule also includes a visit to Brajeshwari Mata Mandir in Kangra.