BJP Ends Speculation, Names Dhumal As Himachal CM Candidate

Ending days of speculations, the BJP on Tuesday announced Prem Kumar Dhumal would be its Chief Ministerial candidate in poll-bound Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing a public meeting in Rajgarh in Sirmaur district, BJP President Amit Shah said Virbhadra Singh, instead of talking about his work and responding to allegations of corruption against him, was only persistently asking them at all public platforms under whose leadership was the BJP contesting the polls. "Throughout the country we are contesting under the leadership of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi... in Himachal Pradesh, the BJP is contesting under the leadership of Dhumal," he said, drawing loud applause from the gathering. "I want to tell Virbhadra Singh that the 2017 election would be contested under the name and leadership of our senior leader Dhumal," Shah said.

The ruling Congress has already announced incumbent Virbhadra Singh as the next Chief Minister, if it retains power. However, the 73-year-old Dhumal, who is a two-time Chief Minister, was not present at the rally when his name was announced. In a tweet in Hindi later, he extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah on behalf of the the state's people.