Victory not permanent: Rathore

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 25

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Kuldeep Rathore today advised Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur not to become conceited as victory or defeat was not a permanent thing.

Addressing a press conference here today, Rathore said the language being used by the Chief Minister reeked of conceit, which was not right. “No doubt, the BJP has got a big majority in the poll, but leaders must not become high headed,” he advised.

While congratulating the BJP on the victory, he said the entire credit for the win goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The reason why the CM is sounding so arrogant is also due to the fact that after the poll results, he was feeling secure that he would continue to hold the position,” he said.

He added that prior to the poll, many BJP leaders were eyeing the CM’s chair. Rathore said in the entire election campaign, neither Thakur nor any other leader mattered.

“The election revolved around Modi and he is solely responsible for the party victory,” he said. The party leaders and workers campaigned hard, but could not sense the mood of the electorate.

“It was the impact of the LPG connections given to every household, farmers getting Rs 2,000 in their accounts and surgical strikes, which swayed the votes in favour of the BJP,” he said.

Rathore admitted that another reason for the Congress rout was mismanagement. “We have got reports that at many places, Congress booths were not set up and poling agents not present,” he said.

“The Congress will shortly hold a meeting in the presence of AICC in-charge Rajni Patil to look into the reasons for the defeat. We have also sought a report from the Block Congress Committees, besides collecting inputs at our own level,” he said.

Four observers, appointed for each seat, would independently submit their report to the high command.