Himachal polls-2017: Virbhadra weighs his options from Arki , Cong list likely today

Lobbying in full swing as Virbhadra and Sukhu are said to be making last-minute efforts to seek tickets for their loyalists.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh who had announced to contest elections from Theog two days ago is once again reconsidering his decision and weighing his options from Arki in Solan district.

A Congress worker with party’s election material in Shimla on Tuesday. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

The Congress high command after assessing the surveys and field reports was keen that party pitches heavyweights from those constituencies where the party had lost election for a decade. The Congress has not won from Arki since the last two tenures.

Arki is currently represented by BJP MLA Govind Ram Sharma. Irrigation and public health minister Vidya Stokes, who had contested 10 elections from Theog, recently opted out of the electoral fray inviting Virbhadra Singh fight from her seat instead. Kuldeep Rathore, whose name was shortlisted for Shimla urban, is also being considered from Theog.

A leader privy to the screening committee meeting told HT on the condition of anonymity that Virbhadra Singh could take final decision on Arki after meeting senior leaders in Delhi tonight.

A day ahead of Congress central election committee meet, the leaders engaged in hectic lobbying to get upper hand in ticket distribution.