Himachal officer quits to contest Renuka bypoll as BJP nominee

The resignation comes a day before Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is scheduled to leave for a two-day tour of Sirmaur district and Renuka to launch a series of projects including a drinking water supply scheme.

Sources said Dhumal has invited Hirdaya Ram to join him in some of the functions and he would be introduced to the voters much before the elections are announced for the seat.

“I have a desire to serve the people of the area,where I belong and now circumstances have compelled me to take a plunge after demise of the MLA,who had represented the area for a long time and served it well. If I get an opportunity,I also want to do something for the people,” Hirdaya Ram said.

Hirdaya Ram had earlier worked as additional deputy commissioner of Pooh and also officiated as deputy commissioner of Kinnaur for some weeks.

After Union Minister Virbhadra Singh’s visit to the family members of Prem Singh Thakur at his village,the Congress’s district committee adopted a single line resolution about giving the party ticket to Prem Singh’s son for the seat.

The state is already heading for another byeletion to fill up the vacanacy caused by death of BJP MLA and former minister Hari Narain Saini. BJP is expected to field Saini’s widow for the election as she has a strong chance of retaining the seat.