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Mankotia, two others join BSP

Palampur: Suspended Congress MLA from Himachal Pradesh, Vijay Singh Mankotia, along with two former ministers from the State joined the BSP on Tuesday. Mankotia, Vijay Joshi and Kewal Singh Pathania will share the dais with BSP president Mayawati in a public rally to be held at Kangra on July 26, BSP General Secretary Mansingh Manhera told reporters here.

Mr. Mankotia, a fifth time MLA from Shahpur, Kangra, was suspended from the Congress after he levelled corruption charges against Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his MP wife Pratibha Singh.

Former minister Vijay Joshi appealed the Congress leaders “frustrated” with the CM to quit the grand old party and join the BSP.

Mr. Manhera said the announcement about the leader, under whom the BSP will contest the coming Assembly poll in the State as a third front, will be made by Ms Mayawati at the Kangra rally.

Buoyed by its landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, BSP is hoping to gain a strong foothold in the Assembly polls slated next year, Mr. Manhera said. He said the party will field dalit candidates on all the 15 reserved seats in the 68-member Assembly.

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