PM Modi holds road show in Guwahati
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received Prime Minister Modi at the airport as the electoral fervour grips the state with five seats of the state going to polls on April 19.
The Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh this year have sprung many surprises for all.
Even as some new entrants will be seen in the poll arena this time, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal have chosen to contest poll battle from new turfs this year.
While Virbhadra Singh has chosen to contest the elections from the Arki seat in Solan district in place of Theog as announced earlier, Dhumal is contesting from Sujanpur in Hamirpur.
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Singh had contested from Shimla (Rural) constituency in 2012 polls which he has now vacated for his son, Vikramaditya Singh to start his political innings in Himachal Pradesh.
Earlier, Irrigation and Public Health minister Vidya Stokes had offered the Chief Minister to contest from his constituency in Theog, reportedly on Singh’s request. Sources said after 2-3 days, Singh gave hints on contesting elections from Arki.
There are reports that after Singh announced to contest from Theog, a survey was conducted at his behest, which forced him change his plans.
As also, the BJP has fielded Rakesh Verma, son of the former DGP and Chairman, HP Public Service Commission RR Verma, with whom Virbhadra Singh has personal relations.
He had earlier represented Kotkhai constituency twice, Rohroo five times (which was later reserved) and then Shimla Rural constituency.
Though the battle in Arki would not be as easy for Singh as the seat was won twice by BJP MLA Govind Ram twice, in 2007 and 2012. However, this time around, BJP is fielding Rattan Singh Pal which had created dissent among the supporters of two-time MLA Govind Ram.
On the other hand, Dhumal had contested 2012 polls from Hamirpur Assembly constituency and previous three elections from Bamson in Hamirpur district.
The change in constituency from Bamson to Hamirpur was made due to re-organisation of the Assembly seats then. This time too, Dhumal has agreed to contest from Sujanpur Assembly constituency. Now BJP MLA Narender Thakur of Sujanpur would contest from Hamirpur in place of Dhumal.
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