Will Shimla Surprise?
Sunil Sharma ( cover story )
Will Shimla surprise? Will BJP make inroads in Congress party’s dominance over Shimla Municipal Corporation this time? Himachalis will come to know when counting for SMC polls will be held today. The Congress has dominated the SMC for 26 years since its first election was held in 1986. The corporation slipped out of BJP’s hands due to its decision to hold direct elections for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor in 2012. Both the political parties campaigned hard that revolved around three major issues of safe drinking water supply, monkeys problem and traffic woes in Shimla. The Congress and BJP released their manifestos promising various schemes for the city whereas CPM also made tall claims. Though SMC election were not held on party symbols, yet they will reflect mood of electorate ahead of general assembly elections due in Himachal later this year.
Litmus Test For Modi Wave Also
Even as Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh claimed that Congress would win SMC election on its own, the party leaders were keeping a close eye on activities in every ward. As SMC election is likely to have impact on upcoming assembly elections, it will be a big challenge for the BJP if Congress maintains its dominance in SMC. On the other hand, Congress will face tough time ahead if the BJP captures the SMC. People from all parts of Himachal are either serving here or engaged in business activities, Shimla is often referred to as Mini Himachal. The voter turn out was not as per expectations due to inclement weather and that too has added to the anxiety of candidates and parties. Riding on the Modi wave, the BJP has maintained its dominance in civic body elections held across the country. Will Modi wave upsets the ruling party in Himachal? It will be known today when SMC results are out on June 17. Nonetheless, victory for any party in this election will act as oxygen ahead of assembly polls in Himachal.
57% Polling In Shimla
Nearly 57% voting has been recorded for election to 34 wards of Shimla Municipal Corporation. Electorate did not show much enthusiasm as only 16% polling was recorded till 10.a.m in the morning. Though polling picked up but inclement weather dampened spirits of voters there after.
Congress Dominated For 26 Years
First election to Shimla Municipal Corporation having 21 wards was held in 1986. The Congress has dominated the corporation barring the election held in 2012. The BJP faces the challenge to demolish Congress party’s strong bastion now. In 1986, Congress had won nine seats and BJP won eight seats whereas four seats had gone to Nagrik Morcha. The morcha extended support to Congress in lieu of Deputy Mayor’s post and Adarsh Sood became first Mayor of the SMC. The Congress had been dominating SMC since then. In 2012, SMC slipped from BJP’s hand as it had decided to hold direct elections to the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor. This time a woman will become Mayor of the SMC.
Voters Silent, Parties Perplexed
Notwithstanding the tall claims by Congress and BJP to win SMC election with a thumping majority, the voters silence before the polling had added to their woes. In addition, youth and women voters also turn up in large numbers to cast their votes. During the electioneering, the BJP had criticised the Congress government and CPM for bad condition of Shimla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured big projects for Shimla during his visit here. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh too sought votes on the basis of works done during present tenure of the state government even as CPM failed to release its manifesto despite making tall promises. SMC election is matter of prestige for the Congress as it is also ruling the state. It also a challenge for the BJP that is claiming to return to power in Himachal.
Main Issues in Electioneering
Three issues of safe drinking water, monkey menace and traffic woes dominated the electioneering prior to polling for the SMC. The candidates too focused on these issue to woo electorate as Shimla had been witnessing water shortage, especially during summer season. In addition, supply of clean drinking water was another major point.
There are many areas in the city that are getting drinking water only for seven to eight days in a month. Similarly, problem of monkey is another issue that dominated the canvassing apart from traffic woes that confront Queen of Shimla. Long traffic jams and vehicles parked along side roads are common sight especially in peak tourist season.
* People of Himachal are simple and are not allured by oratory skills of BJP leaders. Congress supported candidates received huge support from electorate
-Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister
* The Congress had no moral right to contest SMC election. It had conceded defeat before hand as it tried every trick to postpone the election
-Prem Kumar Dhumal, Leader of Opposition
* We did our best to fulfill requirements of people. We could have done more had the government and opposition extended full support
-Sanjay Chauhan, Former Mayor, SMC
Test Of Candidate’s Character
Shimla Municipal Corporation election became an important centre as the Bharatiya Janata Party fought it with fierce intensity. However, electorate would also analyse character of candidates even as the BJP had highlighted the issues confronting the Queen of Hills by incorporating the same in its election manifesto. It contained something for every section besides promises that reflects political ideology to bring a change in people’s life. However, its manifesto in Dharamshala Municipal Corporation election had failed to woo electorate. The BJP has kept an eye on the upcoming assembly elections in this hilly state. There is no denying the fact that people will vote on the basis of credibility than pure politicking. Every ward has a different message that will stress upon good governance. Shimla had been witnessing hollow promises on the issue of clean drinking water. It also faces problem of monkeys but claims to solve this problem look like a distant dream until Meneka Gandhi is present in Union Cabinet. Then there were other issues like smart city that also raised political temperature during SMC election. The Congress has dominated Shimla Municipal Corporation ever since it was created.
Focus on Door To Door Campaigning
Most of the candidates focused on door to door campaigning to woo electorate in different wards of Shimla Municipal Corporation. After filing of nominations till June 5 and last date of withdrawal of nominations on June 8, the candidates had only one week for active electioneering. Interestingly, candidates also sought supports from pedestrians irrespective of the fact whether one was voter in their ward or not. Their plea was that if they are not voters even then they can lend support for moral boosting. Elaborate arrangement were done for polling held on June 16 on 153 polling booths. Out of these, 54 booths were located in rural areas whereas 99 were in urban area. In addition, 23 booths were declared most sensitive, 56 sensitive and 74 as normal.
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