Himachal bypoll: BJP list out, Kargil war veteran Khushal Thakur is new face from Mandi LS seat

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 7

The BJP has decided to field Kargil war veteran Brigadier Khushal Thakur (retd), a new face from Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

Brig Thakur was in 18th battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army. His was one of the battalions that was part of the capture of Tiger Hill and Tololing during Kargil conflict with Pakistan.

He was a strong contender for the ticket in 2019 General Election, but was denied the ticket.

The seat fell vacant after the demise of sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.

Mandi Parliament constituency is the second largest constituency of the country area wise and includes 17 Assembly constituencies in the districts of Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba and Shimla.

Former Zila Parishad member Neelam Saraik would contest the elections from Jubbal-Kotkhai in Shimla district.

The seat fell vacated following the demise of former BJP minister Narendra Bragta. His son Chetan Bragta had started canvassing in the area, but was denied ticket as the BJP took decision not to promote dynasty politics.

The BJP list for byelection announced today also named Ratan Singh Pal from Arki Assembly seat in Solan who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 polls against former chief minister Virbhadra Singh. Virbhadra Singh passed away in July this year.

In Fatehpur (Kangra), the BJP has fielded Baldev Thakur, who contested the 2017 election as an Independent and was instrumental in the defeat of the then BJP candidate former MP Kirpal Parmar. Death of Congress MLA and former minister Sujan Singh Pathania led to byelection in this Assembly constituency.

Last date of filing of nominations is October 8 and the polling will be held on October 30.