Says H.N. Kashyap, BJP state secretary: “The party has not fielded any candidate with a criminal record or criminal history. It was during the five years of Virbhadra Singh government that cases were slapped against MLAs and partymen for political victimisation. If the BJP returns to power, we will withdraw all of them.”

Some prominent candidates with criminal cases are BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Prem Kumar Dhumal (case for defamation, obstruction to public servants and disobeying order), and eight BJP ministers, including J.P. Nadda, Ishwar Dass Dhiman, Roop Singh Thakur Narinder Bragta, Krishan Kapoor and Rajan Sushant.

Former BJP president and candidate from Shimla, Suresh Bhardwaj, has two cases of rioting and unlawful assembly, while two women candidates, Malvika Pathania and Renu Chadha, contesting from Nurpur and Banikhet, respectively, also have criminal cases against them.

Criminal Charges

Total candidates: 336

Attempt to murder: 1

Kidnapping: 4

Theft: 4

Wrongful restraint/confinement: 39

Extortion: 1

Cheating, forgery: 13

Criminal intimidation: 15

(Source: Himchal Pradesh Election Watch)