Split wide open in HLP over merger with BJP

The split in Himachal Lokhit Party came into open today with senior leaders of the party backing the state party chief Maheshwar Singh and declaring that the partywill merge with the BJP on August 14.
Taking exception to the statement of senior party leaders Mohinder Nath Sofat, Dharam Chand Guleria and Subhash Sharma that the decision to merge with BJP was personal decision of the party chief and not of the party, HLP's Vice President Shyama Sharma and Shimla district unit chief Shyam Lal Pirta said the general house of the party had authorised Maheshwar Singh to take final decision on the issue.

"We welcome the merger of the party with BJP and the formal announcement in this regard would made at a grant rally at Kullu on August 14", they said in a statement adding that legal aspects of the merger had been taken care of and Election Commission has also been informed about it.
Ridiculing the announcement of the rival group leaders to hold a meeting of HLP workers ahead of August 14, HLP's Yuval Sena President Gaurav Sharma said barring a "handful of leaders" the entire party would merge with BJP.
Maheshwar Singh is the lone MLA of HLP in the Vidhan Sabha and with the merger of HLP with BJP, the strength of BJP would increase to 28 in 68 member house.

The ruling congress has strength of 36 in the house and it is also enjoying the support of four Independents.