Raja Vanishes Opponents When Congress Dithers in Himachal

Himachal This Week

Both the Congress and BJP have arrayed their forces in a battle where the strength of Raja Virbhadra Singh is being matched with Narendra Modi. The fact that a state chief minister is pitched against a national and international leader is enough to raise him to pedestal of glory. The truth is that it may or may not be finally a victory for his party but he has right from beginning gradually expanded his power and influence.

He started with basic handicap that he was facing a relatively novice compared to Raja who was six time chief minister throwing a gauntlet for the seventh time. It was no match and finally he won and got the command. Had he got it earlier he might have shown better results. But as usual the Congress was vacillating only to finally give in to him. He ably faced the revolt of Major V. S. Mankotia, whom he successfully marginalized. He also drove another dissonant voice of G.S. Bali to borderline of the party, political observers feel.

He had the veracity of showing veteran Sukhram his place, forcing him finally to leave the party. An octogenarian, he worked ceaselessly proving his political dexterity to the hilt. Now even when the party is facing large number of rebels, it is a crucial battle. The party also failed in its tactical concealment of son- daughter complex but finally giving in.  Wards of senior leaders got tickets on last day after holding suspense for nine seats kept apart for special consideration.

Though he got finally all what he wanted he reportedly failed to ensure that senior leader like Vidya Stokes gets some consideration for her contribution to the party. And at 90 years she was not allowed to retire gracefully by accepting her suggestion to allot her seat to a proposed candidate, political observers point out. Stokes deserved better deal from the party and poor lady was running from pillar to post even last she went to court also to get justice.

The BJP on the other hand was in better shape in handling dissidence and will have better control of those who are challenging. But even here P.K. Dhumal, another stalwart in Himachal politics, was moved to another constituency. No chief minister face was declared by the party but towards end it became clear that Dhumal will finally emerge as the leading force, political observers point out.

By ensuring no dynasty related candidate was given ticket proving the Modi strategy not to promote gang of relations is finally the hallmark of its allocation of seats. Again in this matter, the BJP had upper hand by condemning Baap beti ki sarkar party. Let now the din of elections emerge from the drums.

Book On Illustrated HPPWD Specifications

HIMUDA Executive Engineer (Civil) Surinder Kumar Bisht presented a book titled “Illustrated HPPWD Specifications’ to Himachal Governor Acharya Devvrat in Shimla. Public Works department had come out with this book in 1990 . However the writer, hailing from Kangra district, has incorporated modifications regarding material used in construction activities that can improve the quality of constructions. Lauding the effort, Governor hoped that book would be useful for persons and organisations associated with constructed activities in this hilly state.

-Text and photo by Himachal This Week/Shimla

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