KUMARHATTI: Will BJP be able to keep its flock together in Kasauli constituency? This is a million dollars question for party after 17 candidates have presented their claims for party ticket. Among those seeking ticket is last time unsuccessful candidate, Mr. Virender Kashyap and former BJP MLA, Mr. Satpal Kamboj .Before to take on the Congress in poll, there was virtually a war was going on among ticket seekers.
Though no sign of differences were seen among party rank and file during Kasauli BJP workers’ meeting at Dharampur and later a press conference here last evening but as per party insiders it was calm before storm.
The 17 ticket seekers have shared pleasantries among themselves before to address press conference in the presence of Mr. Suresh Bhardwaj the MP and former BJP state President.
As per party sources, the BJP leadership decision to not to declare the CM before poll has come as handy to bury the factionalism within party for some extent now. But things do not augur well within party.
Interestingly for BJP leaders fight for Kasauli ticket was more for personal sake rather to influence by Shanta-Dhumal groups factor. Among the party ticket seekers the few were those fighting to revive their political fortune. The some were in contest to show their supremacy in party and rest were those trying their luck first time.
Reportedly the three groups have emerged strong to get party ticket for their candidates. The claim of Mr. Virender Kashyap was seemed to be weakened as large portion of party workers mostly youth cadre did not want to see Mr. Kashyap as their candidate.
Like, Mr. Kashyap the former party MLA, Mr. Satpal Kamboj was appeared lagging behind to get ticket. Mr. Kamboj was a well known face of BJP in area. But yet he was fighting a lost battle to find his lost glory.
The BJP Parwanoo group at present was looking front runner in ticket race as Kasauli BJP Mandal was controlled by leaders from Parwanoo. Moreover the group has support of Mr. Virender Sehgal a senior party leader.
As per information, the 8 party ticket seekers have formed their united front to press for ticket from their group only. This group of 8 could field their joint independent candidate in case their wish was not fulfilled.
Interestingly the party contest for ticket has further made interested after a former IAS has jumped into in ticket race. Mr. Bharat Bhushan has taken voluntary retirement from his job to try his luck in politics. Termed as an outsider, Mr. Bhushan was nick named by party workers as parachut candidate who suddenly emerged in scene to claim party ticket. The former MLA, Chaman Lal Gachli who recently joined BJP, has too applied for ticket.
