Thakur to woo D’sala voters as poll din ends today

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 18

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will campaign in Dharamsala City and its surrounding areas on the last day of campaigning tomorrow. As per the program issued by the BJP office, the Chief Minister will hold his first public meeting in Bhagsunag area of Dharamsala.

Bhagsunag is dominated by Nehria clan of Gaddi community. Though BJP’s Vishal Nehria also belongs to the community, sources said the Gaddis consider him an outsider. Nehria belongs to Bandi area in Shahpur, though he has constructed a house in lower Dharamsala.

Industries Minister Bikram Thakur was made in charge of Upper Dharamsala area by the party but sources said discontent was simmering among voters against the party in the area that was a hub of tourism. Hoteliers of the region had been suffering for the last couple of years due to failure of the Dharamsala MC to give them clearances.

The party has organised a programme involving the CM in Bhagsunag area to prevent division of Gaddi community vote bank. After Bhagsunag, the Chief Minister will hold a meeting in Kotwali market area. The area is considered a pocket borough of Congress candidate Vijay Inder Karan who belongs to Kotwali market area.

The CM will then participate in a bike rally through Dharamsala city being organised by party workers. He will also campaign and hold a public meeting in Khaniara, the native village of BJP MP from Kangra Kishan Kapoor.

The BJP MP, a five-time MLA from Dharamsala, has not actively participated in campaigning due to health reasons. Kapoor, suffering from viral and jaundice, has shown his presence in campaigning only in the presence of senior party leaders. The CM’s presence in Khaniara had been arranged to improve party prospects in Kapoor’s stronghold. Besides, the CM will hold public meetings at Mandal villages.