BJP banks on Modi charisma to woo voters in Himachal Assembly poll

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 21

Keen to regain lost ground, the ruling BJP is hoping to cash in on the charisma of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to woo back the electorate for the Assembly elections due next year to repeat the party government.

A confident Jai Ram Thakur, on his return from Delhi yesterday, hinted that Modi will visit Himachal on and off next year.

“The PM has accepted the invitation to attend the occasion of fourth anniversary of our government in Mandi. I have had detailed talks with him regarding the pending projects in Himachal and he has assured of all possible help,” said Thakur.

“The PM has a special affinity with Himachal and its people and as such he will come here again in the next four months for the inauguration of AIIMS at Bilaspur,” said Thakur.

Despite the setback in the bypolls, the CM said his government would break the jinx of no party being able to repeat its government. “These four years have been dedicated to serving the people and as we enter the election year, we hope to work with the renewed energy so that we are able to come back to power,” said the CM.

The BJP is keen to reverse its poll prospects. “I am satisfied with the performance of my ministers but there is always scope for improvement,” said he when asked about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, in the backdrop of the defeat in the bypolls.

There has been speculation about a major overhaul in the Cabinet as well as in the party organisation. However, he chose to tread a cautious path and said the decision would be taken by the high command.

Aware of the speculation about a change in the state leadership after the bypoll defeat, Thakur said irrespective of such conjectures each time he visited Delhi, the fact was that he had remained in the saddle.

Thakur said despite the unusual circumstances, arising out of the pandemic, his regime had ensured that the wheels of development did not stop. “Though there are several achievements, I feel that bridging the regional divide and putting an end to the culture of political vendetta has been very satisfying,” he said.

The CM said the Congress registered victory on the basis of sympathy votes which would not happen in the Assembly elections. “People of Himachal are very emotional and get swayed by such appeals but this will not happen every time,” he said. Thakur also said the defeat in the bypolls was a timely alert for the BJP which would help the party overcome shortcomings.