Can Virbhadra Deliver For Congress?

By: Oct 14th, 2017 12:30 am

Himachal This Week Team                 (cover story)

Can Virbhadra Singh deliver for Congress in upcoming Himachal assembly elections? This question is being debated after AICC national vice president Rahul Gandhi declared that “ Virbhadra Singh will become chief minister for seventh term” during a rally held in Mandi. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is confident of creating a history in Himachal by accomplishing Congress’s ‘Mission Repeat’. Notably, both the main political parties have been taking turns to rule the state for nearly 25 years now. As state Congress leaders were reportedly engaged in factionalism, the political scenario changed when AICC national vice president Rahul Gandhi announced that Virbhadra will lead the party in assembly elections and become chief minister for the seventh time. This announcement not only cleared the air about leadership issue in the Congress but also instilled enthusiasm among party workers. It remains to be seen whether Virbhadra  Singh is able to win assembly elections for the Congress in Himachal in 2017. Political observers point out that he has done this earlier also  when he took over reins of the party barely a month before assembly elections in 2012.

2012 HP Assembly Elections

Party         Seats       Vote Share

Congress          36        42.8%

BJP                 27        38.5%

Independent     05        12.1%

2014 Lok Sabha Elections

BJP                4             53.85%

Congress        0              41.07%

Others          0              5.08%

There is no Modi factor in Himachal and assembly elections will be fought on development plank. The work done in all parts of the state will ensure Congress party’s victory in upcoming elections also

-Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister

Mandi Rally Changes Scenario

* Instilled enthusiasm among party cadre

* Leadership issue cleared by high command

* Riding on developmental works

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) national vice president Rahul Gandhi’s rally at Mandi was not only able to instill enthusiasm among workers but also united rank and file of the party. The Congress had been witnessing intra-party fight within rival groups for many months. However, ending months of speculation and turmoil within the Himachal Congress, Rahul Gandhi took everybody by surprise when he announced that Virbhadra Singh will become Chief Minister for the seventh time. This gave clear indication about party’s stand behind Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh who is facing cases related to disproportionate assets, political observers point out. Lauding the development work done by six time Chief Minister, Rahul Gandhi’s message was clear to the Congressmen in this hilly state that Virbhadra Singh will lead the party in upcoming assembly elections besides having a say in the allocation of tickets.

Virbhadra Factor For Congress

Virbhadra Singh will have a free hand in allocation of party tickets as he is is the one who has been entrusted the responsibility of accomplishing Congress’s Mission Repeat’. Will Virbhadra field old but experienced faces or risk to allocate tickets to new ones? No one knows as Chief Minister is known for his political maneuvers to spring surprises, political observers point out. His loyalists claim that Virbhadra will have direct say in allocating 45 assembly seats and the organisation would decide about rest of the assembly constituencies.

Riding On Development Factor

Riding on the development undertaken during Congress government’s present tenure, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh says there is no Modi factor in Himachal and assembly elections will be fought on development plank. Development works done in all parts of the state  will ensure Congress party’s victory in upcoming elections also, he adds. Virbhadra Singh claims that Congress is fully prepared for elections as the party was already in election mode for the past six months. The Congress will create a new history by breaking BJP’s myth that has been banking on Modi factor, he claims.

Mass Following

Even as Chief Minister Virbhadra is a regular target of opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, he holds a good clout among masses across the state. Notably, Virbhadra Singh has been in politics for more than 50 years now. The grass root workers are emotionally connected workers with Virbhadra and their morale has been boosted following Rahul Gandhi’s announcement about party’s leadership, political observers point out.

Confident Of Victory

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh claims that Congress would accomplish its Mission Repeat by winning 45 Plus seats in upcoming Himachal assembly elections. Can he deliver it for the Congress this time around also? Political observers point out Virbhadra had done it in 2012 Himachal assembly elections when he took over reins of the party about a month before elections. He can do it again provided he takes along all leaders by striking a balance, political observers feel.

Rallying Around Virbhadra

Social media is is active in finding the relevance of holding rallies by the Congress and BJP to find people’s mandate. One needs to understand the angle behind outcome of rallies, empty chairs and seriousness of issues expressed on social media. Difference between Bilaspur and Mandi rallies is not of empty chairs  but Congress’s history of again rallying around Virbhadra Singh. Bali Kaul and Sukhu face the difficult situation in prevailing political scenario. All sorts of claims based on forged surveys are being made on the social media. Will we be able to analyse the real position in the wake of upcoming assembly elections?  The opposition will fire salvos but Mandi rally has brought a new developmental model to the fore. Debate on development is not considered necessary in the electioneering in today’s politics but Virbhadra government has highlighted its developmental works to fight next elections while asking reply from the Centre. The BJP is also highlighting Centre’s assistance received under Narendra Modi model of development. It remains to be seen as to who gets more appreciation from Himachali electorate. Much will depend upon BJP’s vision even as there was no solution to problems of oustees and projects embroiled in politicking. Rahul’s Mandi rally will definitely please Virbhadra loyalists who want to see him as chief minister for the seventh time.  It will further test Congress’s power whereas BJP workers are also eager to see its leadership.  Biggest guarantee for BJP’s success comes either from national president Amit Shah or Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma.  The outcome of Congress party’s Mandi rally would be weighed against BJP’s Kangra and Bilaspur rallies. The Congress has tried to sort out intra-party wranglings by handing over leadership to Virbhadra Singh whereas the BJP is silent over this issue. Rahul Gandhi is well aware of the happenings in Himachal Congress as many leaders were in race for the top post. Mandi rally is bound to enhance enthusiasm among rank and file in the run up to assembly elections. It is now turn to test BJP’s vision as the Congress organised a rally on the planks of leadership and development issues. Views on social media still indicate that Rahul Gandhi’s rallies ensure opposition’s victory. Finding solutions to its problems, the Congress, however, this time has directly challenged Modi’s Gujarat model. How will Prime Minister defend? One will have to wait and see.


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