Former HP BJP leader Brij Lal joins Congress

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Shimla, July 2

The Himachal Pradesh Congress has launched its statewide organisation expansion campaign, with former BJP leader and two-time BJP Assembly candidate from Rampur, Brij Lal, joining the Congress along with more than 250 supporters on the first day of the initiative.

The induction programme was held at the Pradesh Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, in the presence of Himachal Pradesh Congress president Vinay Kumar, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh and party workers.

Addressing the gathering, Vinay Kumar said the organisation expansion programme had officially begun and claimed that the Congress would induct between 8,000 and 10,000 people into the party over the next month.

Responding to the BJP securing the chairperson’s post in the Sangrah Panchayat Samiti, located in his home region, Vinay Kumar alleged that although the public mandate favoured the Congress, the BJP had used financial influence to secure victory.

He said the Congress had the support of eight members and held a majority, but cross-voting took place, alleging that the BJP had relied on money power during the election.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said strengthening the Congress was his responsibility and welcomed Brij Lal into the party. He said Rampur had traditionally been a Congress stronghold and would continue to remain so.

Singh also claimed that several other prominent BJP leaders from Rampur were in contact with the Congress and were likely to join the party soon.

Highlighting development in the constituency, Singh said his father, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, had laid a strong foundation for Rampur’s development and strengthened the Congress in the region. He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, development projects worth around Rs 500 crore were currently in progress in the Rampur Assembly constituency.

Speaking after joining the Congress, former BJP leader Brij Lal thanked the Himachal Pradesh Congress president, the Chief Minister and the party leadership for welcoming him.

Brij Lal said he had originally been associated with the Congress but was persuaded to join the BJP. Referring to former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar’s earlier remarks, he said the BJP had become a party dominated by leaders, with little regard for grassroots workers.

He further alleged that several BJP leaders were engaged in a power struggle over the Chief Minister’s post and said he had decided to return to the Congress after being impressed by Vikramaditya Singh’s style of functioning.