Former Minister Jai Ram Thakur will be BJP’s candidate for the Mandi parliamentary bypoll even as the Himachal Congress is yet to take a decision on its candidate and has authorised Congress president Sonia Gandhi to nominate the candidate. Election for the seat, vacated by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after he was elected to the State legislature, would be held on June 23.
State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti on Saturday announced the name of four-time MlA Jai Ram Thakur from Mandi after approval by central parliamentary board of the party. Thakur started his political career from student politics and has remained in crucial position in the organisation and was Cabinet Minister in Prem Kumar Dhumal Government.
BJP central parliamentary board had taken call on Thakur after going through the panel of four names including former Transport Minister Mahendra Singh, Ajai Rana and Ram Swaroop Sharma.
Congress election committee in the State passed a single line resolution in this regard authorising its National President Sonia Gandhi to decide on the candidate. The meeting was attended by State Congress president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, IPH Minister Vidya Stokes, Transport Minister GS Balli, Health Minister Thakur Kaul Singh, Dhani Ram Shandil, Gangu Ram Musafir, Thakur Ram lal and Chander Kumar.
Four members remained absent from the meeting which include Union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, MlA Asha Kumari, former Congress President Viplove Thakur and AICC member Anita Verma.
The State election committee held a detailed discussions on the names received from block and district level committees. Two names have been received from block and district level committees of the party in Mandi parliamentary constituency which include former MP Pratibha Singh, wife of the Chief Minister and one Rakesh Kumar, a candidate of former PCC chief Thakur Kaul Singh. No decision was taken on making a panel or arriving at a consensus and instead it was decided that Congress president Sonia Gandhi should take a call as Chief Minister’s wife is also among the ticket aspirants.
Sources say that in a day or two the name may be anounced. Pratibha Singh had earlier also represented Mandi parliamentary constituency and is considered as a strong candidate. Party is likely to field her for the seat.