Two BJP leaders quit party, file papers as independents from Dharamshala

Vipin Naihariya, BJP's ST Morcha vice president, and district chief Anil Choudhry were ticket aspirants but the party chose OBC leader Rakesh Chaudhary over them and sitting MLA Vishal Naihariya.

Independent candidate Vipin Nehria takes part in a road show after filing his nomination papers for the upcoming Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, in Dharamshala, Oct 25, 2022. (Photo|PTI) 

DHARAMSHALA: Two senior BJP leaders here resigned from the party and filed nomination papers as independent candidates for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls.

Vipin Naihariya, the party's ST Morcha vice president, and BJP district chief Anil Choudhry were ticket aspirants but the party chose OBC leader Rakesh Chaudhary over them and sitting MLA Vishal Naihariya.

Meanwhile, the sitting MLA said he is with the party and expressed confidence in Rakesh Chaudhary.

Vipin Naihariya, a Gaddi community leader, claimed that all office-bearers of the BJP's Dharamshala Mandal have put in their papers in protest against the party ticket to Chaudhary.

Tuesday was the last day for the filing of nominations, which can be withdrawn till October 29.

The voting will take place on November 12 and the results will be declared on December 8.