After being denied the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket again, Rakesh Pathania, the party rebel who won during the last Assembly elections from Nurpur as an Independent, may contest as an Independent again.

It is learned that Pathania was planning a show of show of strength in Nurpur. His supporters are planning a welcome for him from Pathankot to Nurpur, where he will address a political rally and announce his candidature as an Independent.

Rakesh Pathania had demanded for the BJP ticket, but after stiff resistance from Shanta Kumar, national vice-president of the BJP and Rajya Sabha member, the party has again denied the ticket to him. BJP has announced Ranvir Nikka and has a support of Shanta Kumar group.

In the previous election too Shanta Kumar had opposed the BJP ticket for Pathania and had made Malvika Pathania candidate from Nurpur. Though, Pathania won as an Independent and remained closely associated with the government during the last five years.

Rakesh Pathania’s supporters are alleging that injustice has been meted out to him and in the election BJP high command will rue its decision.