OBCs may play key role during Assembly polls in Kangra

The Other Backward Classes (OBC) may play a key role during Assembly polls in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Kangra, Dec 3 : The Other Backward Classes (OBC) may play a key role during Assembly polls in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Kangra, which is also the largest district in the state, has 16 assembly seats in the 68- member state assembly, which plays a dominant role in the formation of the government.

The OBCs have a sizeable presence in all these constituencies, accounting for over 31 per cent of the total electorate.

"In Kangra district, there are eight constituencies in which more than 50 per cent of the voters are OBCs," said Atul Chaudhary, an OBC voter.

Sensing the mood of the voters, the political parties have fielded more OBC candidates.

In the 2003 state assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party fielded four and the Congress three OBC candidates on these eight seats. This time too, the BJP has four and the Congress has three OBC candidates in the fray.

"In Kangra district, the BJP has fielded four OBC candidates, while the Congress has fielded only three," said Kishan Kapoor, Former Minister of Bharatiya Janata Party.

Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress have always had almost one-to-one fight, but now there is a new twist to the poll scenario with Bahujan Samaj Party, increasingly getting interested in the state politics.

The term of the legislative assembly of the state will expire on March 9 next year.

In Himachal Pradesh, the first phase of election was held on November 14. The second phase of elections in the state will take place on December 19. The votes will be counted on December 28.

ANI