CM, Bali join campaigning in Dharamsala tomorrow

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, October 17

Senior Congress leaders from Kangra district, including GS Bali, will join campaigning for Dharamsala bypoll.

Bali is not keeping up good health and undergoing treatment in the UK. He will campaign for Vijay Inder Karan on October 19, the last day of canvassing.

When contacted on the phone, Bali said he would reach India tomorrow. He said, “I could not campaign for the party due to health reasons, but will galvanise my supporters on the last day of campaigning. I have issued an appeal to my supporters to work for the party on the social media,” he said.

Bali has a vote bank in Dharamsala and his joining the campaign may boost the prospects of the Congress.

Former minister and AICC secretary Sudhir Sharma, who has been staying away from the campaign, said he would reach Dharamsala tomorrow. Though he could not campaign due to health reasons, he would be there for the booth-level management on the day of polling, he said.

Sudhir had refused to contest from Dharamsala forcing the party to put in greenhorn Vijay Inder Karan at the last moment. He had also stayed away from the campaign illustrating that all was not well in the party.

For the BJP, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will address political rallies on October 19. Young BJP candidate Vishal Nehria has failed to elicit the whole-hearted support from the senior leadership of the BJP. In such a scenario, his prospects will be heavily depending on the CM.