Himachal polls: HLP declares 25 candidates

Releasing the list of candidates, HLP spokesman Mohinder Nath Sofat said the candidates included a former MP, a former minister and chief parliamentary secretary, four ex-MLAs and a number of serving and ex-members of PRIs and a retired IAS officer.

Former MP and president of the party, Maheshwar Singh will contest from Kullu, former minister Shyama Sharma from Nahan, former CPS, Babu Ram Mandyal from Nadaun, former MLAs, Ninju Ram, Dulo Ram and Navin Dhiman from Rampur, Palampur and Paragpur-Jaswan and OP Kant, a retired HAS officer from Solan, Sofat said.

Sofat expressed surprise over the return of firebrand leader Vijay Singh Mankotia to Congress and his reported patch up with HPCC president VB Singh after bitter spat and "mudslinging for more than five years."

"Both the leaders owe an explanation to the people that what forced them close ranks," he said.

He claimed that even in the BJP, two ministers, five MLAs and one MP who had signed the charge sheet against Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal have also compromised and were silent about the charges made by them.

In February this year, the BJP rebels, led by four-time MP Maheshwar Singh, announced the formation of the new political outfit named Himachal Pradesh Lokhit Party.

Congress today held up the announcement of 54 candidates reportedly finalised by the Congress High Command and the BJP made no head way in declaring the second list of remaining 23 candidates for polls.

The Congress high command has finalised the names of 54 candidates but the list would be out, probably by tomorrow, after all the names were cleared, said a senior party leader.

The BJP has 41 seats in the 68-member Assembly. Elections in the state would be held on November 4.