Bragta appointed Chief Whip

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 22

Jubbal-Kotkhai MLA Narender Bragta was on Saturday appointed as the Chief Whip of the BJP in the Vidhan Sabha, with the rank of a Cabinet minister.

Surprisingly, the post of Deputy Chief Whip, which was also to be filled, has been left vacant. The BJP regime had created the two posts by passing a legislation during the budget session of the Vidhan Sabha.

It was being expected that former minister and Jwalamukhi MLA Ramesh Dhawala would be made the Chief Whip and Bragta the Deputy Chief Whip. “I had made it amply clear that I am senior so I should be made the Chief Whip. I declined the post of Deputy Chief Whip, which was offered to me,” said Dhawala, expressing his displeasure.

Party sources said about six appointments of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of boards and corporations were likely to be made. The names of leaders to be given the posts have already been approved by the core group of the party, which met here two days ago. The BJP high command has now entrusted the task to the CM and the state president.