Cong in HC against Mandi MP over tax

MANDI: The Congress has filed a writ petition in the Himachal Pradesh High Court against BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma, who has been fielded again from Mandi, for not filing on time his income tax returns for the last four years. Mandi Congress unit president Dipak Sharma said Labh Singh, a party office-bearer, had filed the petition. Sharma alleged tax authorities under pressure allowed Ram Swaroop to file returns late. TNS

HPCC secy, his aides join BJP  

Shimla: In another blow to the Congress, HPCC secretary Manjit Thakur along with his supporters on Friday joined the BJP in the presence of CM Jai Ram Thakur. Manjit had suffered defeated in the Assembly bypoll from Rohru, a pocket borough of former CM Virbhadra Singh. BJP state poll in-charge Tirath Singh Rawat said Manjit’s exit was a major setback for Congress and a boost for BJP. TNS

POLL BYTE

In Himachal Pradesh, 5 MLAs in fray

Shimla: Campaigning for elections to all four Lok Sabha constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, where five MLAs, including a state minister, are trying to make it to Parliament.   Forty-five candidates are in the fray for the May 19 contest. Political bigwigs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, descended on the state. Modi addressed rallies in Mandi and Solan. BJP chief Amit Shah held three meetings in one day.Congress president Rahul Gandhi campaigned in Solan on the last day of electioneering. PTI