Journalism of Courage
The BJP on Wednesday released its first list of 62 candidates for the November 12 Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, fielding Chief Minister Jairam Thakur from Seraj constituency.
The first list did not include the name of Prem Kumar Dhumal, the CM-designate in the previous elections. Dhumal had expressed intentions of fighting the elections but had left the decision to the party high command.
Urban Development Minister Suresh Bharadwaj will contest from Kasumpti instead of Shimla Urban, where BJP State Treasurer Sanjay Sood has been given the ticket. Two-time MLA and Vidhan Sabha Deputy Speaker Hans Raj will contest from Churah constituency again.
While 11 sitting MLAs have been dropped, the BJP has fielded five women candidates.
Voting for the 68 Assembly seats in the hill state is scheduled for November 12 and the counting of votes will take place on December 8. The last date for the filing of nominations is October 25.
Himachal Pradesh Elections – BJP list of candidates by The Indian Express on Scribd
