A staunch loyalist of BJP Vice President Shanta Kumar, Balnatah, who had attacked the BJP government in the state on the issue of corruption, expressed his desire to contest election from Kusumpti as Himachal Lokhit Party candidate.
Announcing his resignation from the party, Balnatah, who had contested four elections against former Chief Minister and HPCC president V.B.Singh in his own bastion, said "I am deeply hurt and leaving the party with a heavy heart".
"I raised my voice corruption but the party high command failed to act and now I will raise the issue of corruption in public", he added.
Balnatah was general Secretary and Vice President of state BJP and was a strong contender for the post of state BJP chief but groupism in the party sealed his fate.
Asked whether he consulted Shanta Kumar before deciding to resign, Balnatah said there was no need for him to consult any BJP leader when was leaving the party.
Balnatah had earlier embarrassed Chief Minister P K Dhumal by seeking change in leadership in the state and later fired another salvo, charging the government with discriminating against his constituency and betraying the people by not implementing the promises made during the Rohroo assembly by-election.
He said that he expressed his desire to contest assembly polls from Kusumpti as HLP candidate and would wait for the decision of the party.
Meanwhile, revolt is brewing in BJP in Darang, Rampur, Nachan, Kinnaur, Bharmaur over the issue of nomination and at least half a dozen sitting or former MLAs have announced their decision to oppose the party's official candidates by contesting elections against them or fielding candidates.
