Jairam Thakur will lead BJP in Himachal Pradesh polls: J P Nadda

Speaking to reporters, Nadda said that none of the State Ministers will be changed but 10 to 15 percent of the sitting BJP MLAs may not get tickets this time. "Ten to 15 percent of sitting MLAs in Uttar Pradesh did not get a ticket in the Assembly elections. The same is likely to happen here also," he added.

Shimla:BJP national president J P Nadda on Sunday said that incumbent Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will lead the party in the upcoming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh making it clear that he will not be replaced. " Jai Ram Thakur is doing good work and he will continue to do so in the future," said Nadda. His comments came in reply to a question about Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia's claim that Union Minister Anurah Thakur will replace Jairam Thakur as BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate in Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters, Nadda said that none of the State Ministers will be changed but 10 to 15 percent of the sitting BJP MLAs may not get tickets this time. "Ten to 15 percent of sitting MLAs in Uttar Pradesh did not get a ticket in the Assembly elections. The same is likely to happen here also," he added. According to BJP sources during the meeting of the BJP Legislature Party, Nadda said that only winning candidates will get tickets to the Assembly polls. They further revealed that each MLA was given a report card of his or her performance and was informed about the results of the survey conducted by the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Nadda kicked off BJP's campaign for the Assembly elections in the State with a road roadshow in Shimla and a meeting with party office bearers. The Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh are scheduled to be held later this year. Nadda held a meeting with BJP office-bearers on Saturday regarding the strategy for the upcoming polls. BJP leaders including Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, National Vice President Saudan Singh, and BJP State President Suresh Kashyap visited Shimla Mall Road and Ridge for the meeting. During the 4-day Himachal tour from April 9 to April 12, Nadda will visit Shimla and Bilaspur from Solan.

Nadda held a roadshow from Vidhan Sabha Gate to Hotel Peterhof on Saturday. Nadda and party leader Anurag Thakur reached Anadale by helicopter. There he was welcomed by BJP officials including Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, and BJP State President Suresh Kashyap. Cabinet ministers and BJP MLAs were also present on the occasion.

Nadda has come to Himachal for the first time after winning in four states. In the meeting of the BJP Legislature Party, Nadda said that only the winning candidates from the last election will get the ticket to the assembly elections. He said that “even if the present MLAs get tickets, they should show their honesty towards the party”.

Later, Nadda will be on the Bilaspur tour from today to April 12. He is scheduled to reach Namhol today where the workers of the Naina Devi assembly constituency will welcome him. He is also scheduled to inspect Nadda Hydro Engineering College. On April 11, Nadda will meet the workers of the Bilaspur assembly constituency.