Dhumal's archrival Narinder Thakur back in BJP

HAMIRPUR/SHIMLA: In a dramatic turn of events aimed at ensuring the victory of Anurag Thakur, MP and son of former Chief Minister P K Dhumal in Hamirpur Lok Sabha polls, Narinder Thakur, son of former BJP stalwart Jagdev Chand and archrival of Dhumal was readmitted into BJP today.

Interestingly, Narinder, whose political career was eclipsed by Dhumal and he had to quit BJP and contest Lok Sabha polls against Anurag Thakur in 2009 and Assembly polls against Dhumal in 2012, announced his decision to rejoin BJP in the presence of the former chief minister.

Narinder was denied BJP ticket from Hamirpur Assembly seat - nursed and won by his father Jagdev Chand five times in a row from 1977 to 2003 - and was completely sidelined after which he quit BJP.

He said his decision to join Congress was "wrong" and he would work wholeheartedly for victory of Anurag.

Narinder told reporters that he was badly ignored in Congress not only by the top leaders but others also and was compelled to return to his parent organisation.

Dhumal, who has been claiming that a Modi wave is sweeping Himachal, welcomed Narinder into the party fold and said that his re-entry would further strengthen BJP.