BJP to retain its strongholds Hamirpur, Bilaspur

BJP is likely to retain its strongholds of Hamirpur and Bilaspur. Projection of PK Dhumal as the CM candidate has strengthened the party in his home district of Hamirpur. However, the decision doesn’t seem to be having an adverse impact in neighbouring Bilaspur, a stronghold of Union minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Dhumal’s projection has dealt a blow to Congress campaign in four of five assembly segments in Hamirpur. Congress state president SS Thakur, contesting the Nadaun constituency, has kept up the tempo of his campaign with support from central leaders. What has made things easier for him is BJP rebel Lekh Raj who has grassroots connect contesting as an independent.

Other constituencies in the district like Sujanpur and Hamirpur are already reporting skirmishes between the official Congress candidate and election observers sent by central leadership. “The moment Dhumal was projected, it seems Congress candidates were ready to sit at home and do nothing,” said a party functionary.

Bilaspur reflects a similar trend.

Though disheartened that Nadda is not CM candidate, BJP functionaries are campaigning hard. “Of course, we wanted Nadda ji to be our CM. But if our party loses from Bilaspur district, it would make us look small,” said Prakash Verma, a BJP worker in Bilaspur. “BJP has rectified mistakes that it committed in 2012. So all leaders had a say in ticket distribution,” says Prabhat Sharma, another BJP functionary in Bilaspur.