Shimla: At first deciding not to head into Himachal election with a chief ministerial candidate, BJP national leadership in a surprise move earlier today declared that Prem Kumar Dhumal would be the chief minister candidate in case the party wins power in the hill state.
Party president Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Rajgarh in Sirmaur district announced that Dhumal would be the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh after the election results are declared on 18th December.
With BJP declaring its state leadership, union minister JP Nadda and others who were being considered to don the mantle this time, have been silenced.
#Dhumal4CM pic.twitter.com/bWdP0AJpxZ
— BJP Himachal Pradesh (@BJP4Himachal) October 31, 2017
With more than a week of campaigning to go before polling is conducted, the old rivals Virbhadra versus Dhumal contest pips the younger leadership that was hoping to replace the older leaders.
Virbhadra is 84 years old and Dhumal is 73. Where Virbhadra is aspiring to be chief minister for a 7th term, Dhumal is looking for his 3rd term in office.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.