
Several BSP leaders in Himachal, including state president Balwant Singh, have resigned from the party and joined Ramvilas Paswan8217;s LJP. Singh said he decided to join Paswan as he was the 8220;true protector of Dalits8221;. Singh alleged that Mansingh Manhera, the BSP general secretary in-charge of Himachal, and party leader Vijay Singh Mankotia had committed irregularities in the allotment of tickets. Singh predicted that the BSP, which had made a 8220;strong start8221; in the beginning, will draw a blank in the Assembly because of the 8220;misdeeds8221; of the two leaders.