H I M A C H A L   P R A D E S H

BJP wins Kangra ZP elections
DHARAMSALA, Feb 5 — Owing to the factionalism and infighting within the Congress, the BJP today captured the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Kangra Zila Parishad.

Shanta loyalists to be accommodated
SHIMLA, Feb 5 — In a significant move to bridge the factional divide in the party, the BJP high command has decided to include some prominent Shanta loyalists, who had raised a banner of revolt against Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal in November, in the state executive committee.

Cabinet to meet on Feb 13
SHIMLA, Feb 5 — The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held at Dharamsala on February 13 next during the winter move of the Chief Minister.

BJP wins Kangra ZP elections
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, Feb 5 — Owing to the factionalism and infighting within the Congress, the BJP today captured the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Kangra Zila Parishad.

After being deferred thrice, the elections were held today, with Mr Ratan Jagdamba of the BJP appointed the Chairman and Ms Purshotma Mankotia of the same party the Vice-Chairpersons. While the BJP candidate polled 31 votes, the Congress candidate, Mr Manoj Kumar, lagged behind with 23 votes.

The Congress party, which initially appeared to have a majority in the zila parishad, remained a completely divided houses, with senior leaders working at cross purposes. Some of the leaders present at the election venue, admitted that they had to face defeat not because the BJP had majority but due to the support extended by their own men to the rival party.

A strong contender for the post of chairman from the Congress, Mr Navneet Sharma accused the former minister, Mr Vijai Mankotia, of working against party interests. “Had it not been for the negative role played by Mr Mankotia and Mr Vikram Katoch, the Congress could have easily retained the Kangra Zila Parishad,” he alleged.

The newly elected zila parishad members of the Congress said the role of some senior leaders was questionable not only in the zila parishad but even in the block-level elections.

The District Congress Committee chief, Dr M.R. Goma and the incharge for the zila parishad elections, Mr N.C. Prashar, admitted that there had been cross voting by the Congress members. They, however, accused the BJP of giving allurements and mounting pressure on the Congress members.

The former Tourism Minister, Mr Vijai Singh Mankotia, suffered a major setback when the BJP won the posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Rait block.

Shanta loyalists to be accommodated
From Rakesh Lohumi
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Feb 5 — In a significant move to bridge the factional divide in the party, the BJP high command has decided to include some prominent Shanta loyalists, who had raised a banner of revolt against Chief Minister P.K. Dhumal in November, in the state executive committee.

According to highly-placed sources, the names of Mr Krishan Kapoor, Transport Minister, Mr H.N. Singh, Town and Country Planning Minister and Mr Des Raj and Mrs Nirmala Devi, both legislators, have already been cleared for inclusion, while the cases of some others like Mr J.S. Negi, Mr Rakesh Verma and Mr Radha Raman Shastri are still under consideration.

The name of Mr Mohinder Sofat was also discussed but no decision was taken keeping in view the fact that disciplinary proceedings had already been initiated against him.

The party high command and the Sangh Parivar took a serious view of the infighting which reached the grassroots during the recent panchayat election and initiated measures to remove the irritants.

RSS functionaries had advised the warring leaders to bury the hatchet as the infighting was not only tarnishing the image of the government but also demoralising workers.

The appointment of Mr Karam Vir as Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in place of Mr Onkar Thakur, whose removal was one of the main demands of the rebels, is another significant step. Mr Karam Vir was member of the negotiating team which held talks with the dissidents to resolve the crisis.

Senior party leaders maintain that the revolt was the result of a communication gap.

Prof Dhumal is all set for the annual winter move during which he would tour Kangra, the home district of Mr Shanta Kumar. Unlike the previous tour, the Shanta loyalists will be actively associated with him during his fortnight-long sojourn to send the right signals to the partymen and people. 

Cabinet to meet on Feb 13

SHIMLA, Feb 5 (PTI) — The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held at Dharamsala on February 13 next during the winter move of the Chief Minister.

According to official sources, the Chief Minister’s tours of Kangra district begins on February 9.