Revolt Of Rebels

Himachal This Week Team

The battle lines are drawn for Himachal assembly elections as 42 rebel candidates withdrew their nomination papers on the last day of withdrawal. With this a total of 350 candidates are left in the fray for 68 assembly seats in this hill state. However, about 115 rebel candidates are still in the electoral battle as independent candidates. They belong to all parties, including Congress, BJP and CPM. Interestingly, political parties are terming their rebels as independent candidates. Even as few rebel candidates have withdrawn their nominations, yet parties fear undercutting by them. As a result, parties are alluring such candidates to suitably reward them after formation of the government. Political observers feel that a party that faces threat of undercutting due to rebellion will suffer more challenges.

The Rebellion Within Parties

Disappointment in politics can also send a clear revengeful signal that is evident from nomination papers filed for upcoming Himachal Assembly elections. There are numerous examples of aspirants being sacrificed that raises question marks over discipline and democratic conduct in parties. Gokul Butail has learnt many experiences and so is the case of Himanshu Mishra and Parveen Sharma in Palampur. Praveen Sharma has been consistently making sacrifices in Mandi but there will definitely be a debate on BJP’s experiment to deny tickets to few leaders. The fallout of BJP’s strategy is now evident. There are problems and different issues in various assembly segments in this hilly state that face similar political scenario. The Congress allocated ticket in the midst of few rumblings.

Himachalis were exploring basic character in the BJP as it had pushed the government on back foot. Its election campaign was aimed at describing Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh as a villain but the BJP is unable to visualise a hero within its ambit. The Congress too is facing difficulties as opposition and opponents are deep rooted within the party. It was reflected in allocation of party tickets. The BJP tried to placate the dissidents but every revolt under such circumstances can have far reaching political ramifications. Political anger surfacing within certain communities and one must read the underlining message in the backdrop of upcoming assembly elections. The Congress and BJP are unable to determine the impact of rebellion that they are facing.

Allegations Galore

The issues which dominated the state politics during past five years have been pushed to the backstage during election time. Instead, leaders are engaged in leveling hurling allegations and counter allegations at each other. Both the Congress and BJP candidates have failed to spell out their agenda for development of their respective constituencies.

Dr. YS Parmar’s Grandson Joins BJP 

In a significant political turn, Dr. YS Parmar’s grandson Chetan Parmar joined the BJP in Nahan. Dr. Parmar was not only state’s first chief minister but also founder of Congress in Himachal. His father Kush Parmar elected MLA for five times but was never made a minister or appointed as chief parliamentary secretary in Congress governments.

I had to take this step as our family was being ignored in Congress party

-Chetan Parmar, Grandson of Dr. YS Parmar

Opted Out Of Race

The Congress rebels who opted out of electoral race included former MLA Tilak Raj (Bilaspur), Prem Kaushal (Bhoranj) and Dharavir Dhami (Manali) after being persuaded by senior state and central Congress leaders. However, those in fray include VS Mankotia (Shahpur), Singhi Ram (Rampur), former MLA Mastram (Karsog), Harish Janartha (Shimla Urban), Puran Thakur (Darang) and Hardeep Bawa (Nalagarh). For BJP, rebel Vikram Sen withdrew his nominations (Kasumpati). Those left in fray include former MLA BK Chauhan (Chamba). Parveen Sharma( Palampur), Hirday Ram (Renuka), Rajan Sushant (Jwali), a former BJP minister who had joined AAP.

Pose Hurdles For Parties

The ground political situation reveals that both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party have not been so successful in pacifying their rebel candidates. Dissent in parties will definitely affect poll prospects with leaders hoping for a victory in Himachal assembly elections. There has been politicking to enhance stature of certain leaders within the parties as seen during past few elections. The governments changed after every five years as Himachali voters had also adopted rebellion postures. Big political parties have failed to  understand this state to attain power and the BJP’s race to power is full of challenges this time though it has been able to pacify certain dissenting voices. Chinks are visible between BJP’s central and state leadership as party’s two big leaders have remained confined to their respective areas until now. All of a sudden Himachali electorate have understood the selfish motives behind dynasty politics. Rebel candidates will not only eat into vote bank of parties but also put their own political career at stake. Will this election show the mirror to certain leaders? Electorate will also analyse every aspect of rebel candidates. Rebel candidates are posing problems in Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi and Shimla district where disciples are trying to surge ahead their gurus. Many leaders couldn’t control their tears after allocation of tickets. The central leaders and parties face hurdles as Himachal is not so simple as they think. The figures will also revolt if BJP’s top leadership might have committed a mistake in understanding Himachal despite party’s passion  and commitment.  The Congress can’t take it easy as they will have to work hard in the keen electoral tussle.

BJP Rebels

Palampur:         Parveen Sharma

Fatehpur:          Baldev Singh Thakur

                        Rajan Sushant

Chamba:           BK Chauhan

                        DK Soni

Haroli: Ravinder Pal Singh

Bharmour:        Lalit Thakur

Nadaun:           Lekh Raj

Congress Rebels

Shimla Sadar:   Harish Janartha

Nalagarh:          Hardeep Singh Bawa

Darang:            Puran Chand Thakur

Kullu:               Renuka Dogra

Lahaul & Spiti: Rajinder Karpa

Una:                 Rajeev Gautam

Rampur:           Singhi Ram

Kangra:            Dr. Rajesh Sharma

Shahpur:           VS Mankotia

Kutlehar:          Shiv Haripal

Jwalamukhi:      Vijender Kumar

Karsog:            Mastram

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