BJP president outlines his poll strategy

KS Tomar 

National BJP president Amit Shah’s recent visit to Himachal took practical shape, when he addressed a huge gathering of Panna Pramukhs and workers in Una and energised them with his election strategy to retain all four Lok Sabha seats to ensure Narendra Modi’s return as the PM in the 2019 elections.

Shah primarily focused on the achievements of Modi government and made efforts to emotionally connect with people by invoking the names of late Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Modi, who had long ties with people of the state. Vajpayee opted to have a house in Kullu-Manali, whereas Modi remained the in-charge of party affairs for several years and travelled to every nook and corner of the state.

Shah remembered the Padma Shree and Param Vir Chakra awardees and made it clear that blatant partiality and lack of transparency were the hallmark of the previous regimes of the Congress, which decided these awards on the basis of political links and lobbying capacity, but Modi government reversed this “dirty system”, he said, and selected nominees by opting for complete transparency, merit and contributions to society, which enabled deserving personalities to get top honours.

He lambasted the Congress for raising hypothetical queries about the PM and said people have faith in his leadership and sincerity, which would be witnessed in the 2019 poll.

While appreciating state government’s one-year achievements, Shah accused the previous state government of having relevance to privileged class only, whereas the present BJP government headed by Jai Ram Thakur belonged to common people. CM’s praiseworthy welfare initiative such as Jan Manch programme, cheap gas cylinders to poor families, Him Care Yojana etc. have helped the needy in the entire state.

On meagre financial assistance of Rs 44,235 crore, Shah said the Modi government had given liberal aid to the people of the state, which touched a whopping sum of Rs 1,15,865 crore in four-and-a-half years.

The CM dwelt upon measures taken by his government during the one-year span. In a goodwill gesture, former CM Shanta Kumar shared a few moments with PK Dhumal during the rally, which was interpreted as an attempt to show unity. The wedge between the two stalwarts is an open secret. The CM tried to keep equal distance from both leaders, but as per public perception, Thakur is considered more close to Shanta due to their common RSS inks.

According to political analysts, it will be an uphill task for the BJP to retain four seats, which were won by them in 2104 elections. Analysts recall that Himachalis go with the party which rules the Centre, but nothing is certain this time as the Modi government will face five years’ anti-incumbency factor coupled with one-year rule of the BJP in state.

Political observers say Congress may be rejuvenated after the replacement of Sukhu by a non-controversial leader — Kuldeep Rathore, who is likely to get support from all leaders. BJP faced weak and fragmented Opposition during the last one year, as the Congress leaders remained busy in infighting. Observers say that Congress legislature leader Mukesh Agnihotri has also heaved a sigh of relief after the change of guard in the state Congress, as he did not get required support from the organisation. Hence, he was left alone to attack the state government. Now, CLP leader and Rathore may work in tandem. Agnihotri was denied the status of Opposition leader by Jai Ram government, though, as per rules 10 per cent strength of the elected MLAs is required to get this status. Congress has 22 MLAs in the House of 68, which is much above the requisite strength, but the CM delayed it for about 10 months. CLP leader felt it was due to some detractors and defeated leaders such as Satpal Satti, who misguided the CM. The budget session has been shortened due to parliamentary poll, which would give enough time to the ruling BJP and Opposition to aggressively campaign in the entire state. The BJP has already organised rallies for the PM and national party president, whereas Congress is yet to do so.

(Writer is senior journalist. Views are personal)