With the announcement of the Mandi Parliamentary by-election, political activities have hot up in hill state. BJP has already decided to field senior leader Jai Ram Thakur and Congress looking making consensus at former MP and wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, Pratibha Singh.
A breakaway group of BJP, Himachal Lokhit Party (HLP), which came into existence before assembly poll, announced not to fight by-election. Maheshwar Singh, HLP convener, in a press conference, said that HLP won’t support Congress in this bypoll, but will work to defeat BJP candidate. Maheshwar Singh said that his party will oppose BJP in this bypoll.
HLP leader expressed displeasure at the slow progress on issues like the alleged phone tapping, the pulses scam and irregularities committed by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). Maheshwar said that HLP has given documentary evidence to CM, but till now there is no progress. He also lamented the delay in action against officials who had favored the HPCA in providing land.
