Himachal: Decks cleared for Bindal set to take reins for third term

Himachal Pradesh BJP veteran Rajeev Bindal is set to be re-elected unopposed as the state unit chief as was as the only leader to have filed his nomination for the post on Monday.

While Union minister Jitendra Singh would formally announce Bindal’s name as the new Himachal BJP president on Tuesday, a BJP leader said the party’s rule allowing a person to serve as the state unit chief for six years was a key factor in retaining Bindal. “Also, the defection of six Congress MLAs to the BJP has reshaped the party’s dynamics, prompting the central leadership to appoint a leader who is capable of balancing equations between the party old-timers and Congress turncoats,” the leader added.