anu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, October 7
Crestfallen, Chetan Bragta, son of former BJP minister Narinder Bragta, today questioned the party leadership over the denial of ticket to him to contest the Jubbal-Kotkhai byelection. He said that in deference to the desire of his supporters, he would file nomination for the byelection as an Independent candidate tomorrow.
He said, “I have been serving the BJP for the past 15 years. I have been touring my constituency for the past few weeks and have the right to question the party leadership why I have been denied the ticket”.
An emotionally-charged Chetan told his supporters, “Mera ticket cut gaya (I have been denied ticket) because I am a product of dynasty politics”. However, he resolved to continue to work hard and keep up the struggle started by his late father.
“If the party had set some parameters for the selection of candidates, why I was not informed earlier and the decision was kept on hold till the last. I had visited all 62 panchayats after a signal from top leaders and was sure to get the ticket”. At present, Chetan is the head of the BJP IT cell in the state.
“My father penetrated into the Congress stronghold in Jubbal-Kotkhai and demolished the citadel of former Chief Minister Ram Lal Thakur, a nine-time MLA, by winning the seat for the BJP in 2007 and 2017,” he said. Congress workers were jubilant after they heard “I have been denied the BJP ticket”.
“Giving the ticket to someone just because he or she is close to some minister does not augur well for the party. Years of hard work and struggle of workers must be recognised,” he said. Chetan virtually broke down when he mentioned that he was working for the party even when his father was hospitalised for about two months before his death.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service