Former BJP chief Khimi Ram keen to contest from Banjar

Our Correspondent

KULLU, SEPTEMBER 1

Former state BJP president Khimi Ram Sharma said today that his supporters wanted him to contest the Assembly poll from Banjar next year.

Addressing a rally, attended by hundreds of his supporters near his residence in Bhuntar, he announced that he would contest the elections. He said his supporters would work at the booth level from now to ensure his victory.

The former Forest Minister was chalking out plans with his close associates. He had remained silent after he was denied the party ticket in 2017. He had won the elections from Banjar in 2003 and 2007. He was also the BJP candidate in the 2012 elections but lost to Congress candidate Karan Singh, a former minister.

Khimi Ram is considered close to former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and had remained on senior posts. Around 25,000 people had joined the BJP under the leadership of Khimi Ram during the party membership campaign in 2015 and the figure was the highest among the 68 constituencies.

The factionalism in the BJP has come to the fore in Banjar as three ticket seekers were carrying out rallies with their supporters. MLA Surender Shourie in the elections had raised the slogan of ‘Dhartiputra’ (Son of the land) and had won. Supporters of former Zila Parishad member from Raila ward in Banjar Hiteshwar Singh, son of BJP stalwart Maheshwar Singh, had also become active and held a couple of rallies. Hiteshwar’s wife is also a Zila Parishad member from Dhaugi ward in Banjar.