Shimla-Following the completion of the round for filing nominations for Himachal Pradesh Bye-Polls 2021 for Mandi Lok Sabha seat and three Assembly constituencies – Arki, Fatehpur, and Jubbal-Kotkhai, Bharatiya Janata Party has also released the list of its star campaigners.

The opposition Congress had already released the list that included names of Kanahaiya Kumar, who has been newly inducted into the party. Other than that, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Chief Minister of Punjab Charan Singh Channi, Raj Babbar, and Sachin Pilot were also on the list among other names.

Also Read: List of Congress Star Campaigners for HP Bye-Polls 2021

It was being speculated that big guns like Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, JP Nadda etc could be on the list of star campaigners, however, any such names were missing. Anurag Thakur is the only Union Minister who would be campaigning in Himachal. BJP has also not included the name of MP Kishan Kapoor. The party is relying mostly on local leadership.

BJP’s list of star campaigners for HP ByePolls 2021 includes the following leaders:

Shimla-Nominations for Himachal Pradesh By-Elections 2021 were filed on Friday by a total of 24 candidates, of which four are substitute candidates and nine independent. Two candidates of the Himachal Jan Kranti Party have also filed nominations from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat and the Fatehpur Assembly constituency. The remaining one nomination was filed by the candidate of Rashtriya Lok Neeti Party from Mandi Lok Sabha seat.

Today was the last day for filing nominations.

The nominations would be scrutinized on October 11, and October 13 would be the last date to withdraw nominations. The polling would be held on October 30. 

While Congress has played safe and facing lesser in-fighting over the distribution of tickets, BJP faced resistance on all three Assembly seats – Arki, Jubbal-Kotkhai, and Fatehpur.

While BJP managed to convince two of its miffed leaders from Arki and Fatehpur to not file nominations as independent candidates, it couldn’t stop Chetan Bragta – son of former MLA Narender Bragta-from revolting. Bragta filed his nomination as an independent candidate from the Jubbal-Kotkhai Assembly seat where BJP had picked Neelam Seraik over him. A large procession followed Bragta while he filed the nomination. His supporters even blocked the road for Seraik who was on her way to file the nomination. Bragta’s supporters also shouted slogans against Suresh Bhardwaj, who is in-charge of the Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency for these bye-elections.

It’s pertinent to mention that Narender Bragta and Suresh Bhardwaj didn’t enjoy good political relations. When Bhardwaj was given charge of this constituency for the bye-elections, the decision had raised the eyebrows of supporters of Bragta. In this constituency, BJP is likely to face a hard time claiming a victory if it couldn’t convince Bragta to withdraw his nomination.

However, BJP leadership managed to convince Govind Sharma and Kripal Parmar, who were miffed over being denied ticket from Arki and Fatehpur seats respectively, to not jump into the fray as rebels.

 HP ByPolls 2021: INC and BJP Candidates from Three Assembly Constituencies 

INC and BJP Candidates from One Lok Sabha Seat

Shimla-Ahead of Himachal Pradesh By-Elections 2021 to be held on October 30, the political environment is charging up in the state. Friday is the last date for filing nominations and most of the candidates have completed this formality. Today, Pratibha Singh – INC candidate from Mandi Lok Sabha seat also filed nomination.

The round for political rallies, public meetings, and door-to-door campaigning has also been kicked off. As usual, star campaigners from outside and within the state would campaign for the candidates.  

HP Congress has issued the list of star campaigners. This list also included newly inducted left-wing face Kanhaiya Kumar. Other than that, Punjab’s new Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Chaani and Navjot Singh Sidhu are also on the list.

Though the Election Commission has issued directions regarding strict adherence to Covid-19 norms and put some restrictions on gatherings and rallies, it’s to be seen whether the parties would comply with them or not. The number of Star Campaigners was restricted to 20 for these bye-elections for National /State recognized parties and 10 for unrecognized registered parties in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also Read: All HP By-Polls 2021 Guidelines and Covid Protocols That Are Likely to be Eschewed

Following Leaders Would Campaign in Himachal for INC: