Virbhadra Changes Course: Will Contest Himachal Polls From Arki

Virbhadra Singh had earlier said he will be contesting from Theog.

Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh. (Photo: Reuters)

Only a little ahead of Assembly elections, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh announced that instead of contesting elections from Theog, he will be contesting from the Arki seat in Solan district.

According to an Indian Express report, Singh had previously announced that he would file his nomination papers from the Theog constituency, which Congress leader Vidya Stokes had vacated. He was also planning to hold a roadshow from Theog.

Indian Express also reported that Singh had earlier said that he wanted to contest from a seat which the Congress had not won in the last few elections.

It is interesting to note that Arki was won by BJP in the 2007 and 2012 state elections.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had recently hailed the 83 year old Chief Minister the "commander" who will lead the party to victory in the upcoming Assembly Elections.

Virbhadra Singh ji has done tremendous development as six-time Chief Minister. He will be the Chief Minister for the seventh time. This will have full backing of the party.

Rahul Gandhi

In a surprising turn of events, however, Singh's sister in law Jyoti Sen, along with a few other relatives of his, has recently joined the BJP. Reacting to the development, BJP's state-in-charge Mangal Pandey had then said that people from all walks of life were joining the BJP as they were influenced by the progressive and developmental policies of the party.

According to an ANI report, on Monday, 16 October, the Congress gave Singh a free hand in deciding the party candidates for the elections slated to be held on 9 November by appointing him the head of campaign committee in place of the Congress Chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.

ANI also reported that the Chief Minister's son, Vikramaditya, will contest the Assembly elections from Shimla.

(With PTI inputs)

Also Read: Anil Sharma Quits Congress, Joins BJP Ahead of Himachal Polls

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