The rising clouds of dust behind cavalcades of political parties and noise from loudspeakers seem to be an aberration from the usual pace of beginning winters in remote villages of Rohru Assembly constituency. These villages are witnessing a heated political battle between the titans — Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and former CM Virbhadra Singh.

Just three days before the campaign ends, Dhumal and Virbhadra have decided to focus on Rohru, making it a battle of honour for them.

While Virbhadra is out to protect his legacy of over two decades in his former constituency, Dhumal is keen to prove his strength and appeal as the leader of the ruling party by invading the Congress citadel.

Changing its strategy overnight, the BJP decided to send Dhumal to the Congress stronghold Dodra-Kawar —— the most interior landlocked village cluster in Rohru.

Fresh campaign reviews of the BJP, which were not so satisfactory, forced the CM to take up the gruelling journey of nearly 100 km from Rohru.

It is learnt that earlier Dhumal was scheduled to stay in Rohru and interact with party workers, but now he will hold three public meetings in Dodra-Kawar.

BJP candidate Khushi Ram Balnatah has already campaigned in Dodra-Kawar with minister Rajeev Bindal but the CM is yet to visit the area. Virbhadra had campaigned here last week with Congress candidate Manjeet Singh Thakur.

The Congress campaign in Dodra-Kawar has been under close monitoring of former MLA from Kinnaur Jagat Singh Negi, who is camping in the area since October 26.

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