PM Modi to visit Mandi on May 24, says Himachal Pradesh LoP Jairam Thakur

Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 22 (ANI): Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jairam Thakur said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public meeting in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency on May 24.
"Prime Minister Modi has a program here on May 24. There is a lot of enthusiasm among the people. Our preparations are in full swing, this rally will be historic and people here will vote for BJP with enthusiasm," Thakur said.
Along with Mandi, PM Modi is likely to address a rally at Nahan, under the Shimla parliamentary constituency on the same day.
Mandi has become one of the most widely watched seats in the state. The seat will witness a battle between two young guns from the BJP and Congress.
Congress has fielded the son of late former CM Virbhadra Singh, Vikramaditya Singh and BJP has gone with actor turned politician Kangana Ranaut.
The Mandi constituency holds symbolic significance for the Congress, as it is considered a bastion of the Virbhadra family. The seat is currently held by Pratibha Devi Singh, the late leader's widow. She wrested the seat for the Congress in the bye-election that was held following the demise of then-BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.
Meanwhile, a total of 57,11,969 voters have been registered in Himachal Pradesh as per the final list publication on May 14, said Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg.
He further said that the number of voters has increased by 3,81,815 as compared to a total of 53,30,154 in the year 2019, which represents an increase of 7.16 per cent.
Polling in Himachal, which is scheduled for June 1, will not only pit candidates vying for Lok Sabha membership from four seats but also elect members for six assembly seats that fell vacant following the resignation and switchover of dissident Congress lawmakers.
The BJP, which won all four Lok Sabha constituencies in the state in the 2019 elections, is eyeing an encore this time. (ANI)