ShimlaOne hour ago
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After the announcement of the ticket by the BJP for the Himachal Assembly elections, the heat of the protest which started across the state has reached the capital Shimla as well. Here, supporters of Shimla Urban seat MLA and minister in Jairam Sarkar Suresh Bhardwaj have opened a front against the party high command. This time the high command has given ticket to Bharadwaj from Kusumpti seat instead of Shimla Urban.
As soon as the tickets were announced on Wednesday morning, his supporters started gathering outside Suresh Bhardwaj’s house in Shimla. These included the workers of Shimla BJP Mandal. By 12 noon, dozens of people had gathered here. These people sat on a dharna in front of Suresh Bhardwaj’s house, opposing the change of ticket.
Meanwhile, it is learned that Suresh Bhardwaj is also constantly talking to his supporters.
People sitting on the dharna say that Suresh Bhardwaj, while being a minister in the Jairam government, did not leave any stone unturned in the development of Shimla city in the last five years. Instead of rewarding it, his ticket was changed on the last occasion.
The workers of Shimla BJP Mandal said that the people of Shimla city want to see Bhardwaj winning from here also this time.
Former mayor among those who protested
Apart from Satya Kaundal, former mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Kimmy Sood, Aarti, Archana Dhawan, Poornamal, Bittu Panna, Brij Sood and dozens of other activists are among those who staged a sit-in outside his house in support of Suresh Bhardwaj.
Supporters expressed their objection in writing
His supporters gathered outside Suresh Bhardwaj’s house gave in writing that they were against the minister’s ticket being changed. He also said that if Bhardwaj’s ticket is not changed and he is not made the candidate from Shimla Urban seat, then he will resign from all his posts in the party.
These people said that Suresh Bhardwaj has been winning from Shimla urban seat for 15 consecutive years, but this time the party has thrown out a winning candidate like him from the city. In support of Bhardwaj, his supporters also started a campaign on social media.
Talks will be held with the state in-charge
Shimla BJP Mandal President Rajesh Sharda said that he will talk to BJP’s Himachal Pradesh in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna regarding Bhardwaj’s ticket. Bhardwaj has done development in Shimla, so there will be a demand for reconsideration of changing his ticket. Otherwise, further strategy will be made on the advice of everyone.
Why does Bharadwaj want Shimla urban seat only?
In the last five years, works worth crores of rupees have been done in Shimla city under the Smart City Project and many works are still going on. Suresh Bhardwaj has been taking credit for this. About a year ago, he had also started his campaign from Shimla urban seat. He himself was present on the occasion of inauguration of new parking and starting taxi service in the city. Bhardwaj and his supporters feel that because of the work done in the city, he can win from Shimla Urban seat for the fourth time in a row.
Good penetration among traders
Suresh Bhardwaj is also considered to have good penetration among the businessmen of Shimla city. The tussle with Suresh Bhardwaj and BJP leader Sanjay Sood, who was nominated this time from Shimla Urban, is not hidden from anyone. Due to these two, two factions of traders were also formed, one of which is still standing with Suresh Bhardwaj.