Shimla, Oct 21 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Wednesday formally launched its campaign for the Nov 7 by-elections in two assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and other leaders addressing a series of rallies.
“We launched the election campaign this (Wednesday) morning. Our state party leaders, including the chief minister, will address a series of rallies in the Rohru constituency,” state BJP chief Khimi Ram told IANS.

Rohru and Jawali constituencies fell vacant after legislators - Virbhadra Singh and Rajan Sushant respectively - contested and won the Lok Sabha elections in May.

The BJP has pitted Khushi Ram Balnatah from Rohru in Shimla district against Congress’ Manjit Singh.

The Congress has fielded former minister Sujan Singh Pathania against BJP’s Baldev Raj Chaudhary from Jawali in Kangra district.

Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh has represented the Rohru constituency for over two decades and has defeated Balnatah four consecutive times.