Himachal Pradesh polls: BJP to announce first list of candidates today

New Delhi: The BJP is likely to announce the first list of candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah presided at a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting to finalise the party's candidates for Himachal Pradesh assembly elections.

The meeting was held at party headquarters here.

Party veterans and former Himachal Pradesh chief ministers Shanta Kumar, Prem Kumar Dhumal, Himachal BJP chief and state in-charge were also present at the meeting.

However, in a big jolt to Congress, Anil Sharma, a minister in the Virbhadra Singh government, is reported to have switched loyalties to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

News agency ANI reported that an official announcement regarding Sharma joining the BJP is expected on Sunday. 

Voting for Himachal Pradesh elections will be held in a single phase on November 9 and the result will be declared on December 18.