Shimla: Setting aside speculations of the change in leadership just ahead of the assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh, BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur would continue his full term, and the next election would be contested under his leadership.
Ruling out the possibility of change in guard in the state, Nadda’s assertions set aside claims of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia that Union minister Anurag Thakur would be replacing Thakur.
Nadda, who belongs to this state, told the media here that “there is no possibility of replacing Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The BJP would go to the polls under the leadership of Jai Ram Thakur, the government is functioning well and in future too he will lead the government”.
Also, there is a possibility that tickets might be denied to some of the legislators due to anti-incumbency.
The 68-member assembly is likely to go the polls by year-end along with another BJP-ruled state Gujarat.
Patting the back of the Chief Minister, he was categorically clear in saying that the state government is performing well and there is no possibility of leadership change.
However, when asked if ticket could be denied to sitting MLAs, without mincing words Nadda said there was always a possibility and it would be determined by changing circumstances. “In any election, we do change 10-15 per cent of the total ticket.”
He said that tickets have been changed in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur assembly elections and in Himachal Pradesh too it can be done.
“I am fully satisfied and happy with the coordination between the party and the government,” said Nadda, ruling out the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle.
The BJP national president said on the completion of four years tenure of the state government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid foundation stones and dedicated projects worth Rs 11,500 crore for the state.
Nadda, who reached the state capital on Saturday, conducted a roadshow here along with along Anurag Thakur and Jai Ram Thakur and to prepare the roadmap for the Shimla Municipal Corporation and Assembly elections.