Setback for Cong as panchayat ex-pradhan joins BJP in Manali

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Former leader Satish Chand’s entry boosts saffron party’s grassroots push in constituency

Kullu: The Congress suffered a setback in Katrain, the home panchayat of Manali MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur, as senior party leader and former two-time panchayat pradhan Satish Chand joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with several supporters.

Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur welcomed Chand and the other new entrants by presenting them with party scarves.

Chand has held several key positions in the Congress organisation and served on the Board of Directors of the Steel Authority of India. A prominent tribal leader in the region, he was elected pradhan of the Katrain Gram Panchayat twice. His wife also served as the panchayat pradhan once.

Former ward panches Maghu Ram, Chande Ram and Prem Bhagat also joined the BJP after leaving the Congress.

Welcoming the new members, Jai Ram Thakur said the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working for public welfare, development and national interests. He expressed confidence that the newcomers’ experience and commitment to public service would strengthen the party organisation in the Manali Assembly constituency.

Former MLA Govind Singh Thakur, Manali Mandal president Joginder Mehra, Mandal general secretary Devendra Thakur and senior leader Durga Thakur were present on the occasion.