Will Kaladhungi BJP legislator Bhagat be sixth time lucky?

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, January 4

Sitting BJP legislator and former Cabinet minister Bansidhar Bhagat seems to be in an advantageous position in the Kaladhungi Assembly seat in Haldwani of Nainital district.

More than 10 Congress candidates are lobbying with state Congress leaders and party national secretary Prakash Joshi for ticket from the constituency. “I expect to be lucky this time too as a large number of Congress candidates lobbying for the ticket will lead to rebellion in the party, resulting in division of Congress votes,” said Bhagat, a five-time MLA from Haldwani, including Kaladhungi.

Most of the Congress leaders are lobbying with Prakash Joshi, who lost the last elections from the seat and has pitted himself against Finance Minister Indira Hridayesh from Haldwani.

“The sudden rise of Prakash Joshi as the future leader of the Congress has made me lobby with him for the ticket, which, I think, I will get,” said Bhola Bhatt, block pramukh of Haldwani and a ticket aspirant from Kaladhungi.

In the poster war, the prospective candidates have published their photos along with senior leaders, boasting of having their support. “Some have printed photos of Prakash Joshi only,” said a Congress leader.

Independent candidate Mahesh Sharma is also trying for Congress ticket and has been active in Kaladhungi.