Himachal Results: Modification Punctured

Tikender Singh Panwar

The much hyped propaganda of the BJP that the chariot of communalism, which kicked off from Gujarat, would not be halted in the country stands smashed by their defeat in Himachal Pradesh – a state comprising 98 per cent Hindu population. The media, both the print and the electronic, had left no stone unturned in projecting a victory for the BJP. But, the BJP got a severe drubbing from the people, with many of its ministers losing badly. That a few amongst them were not even allowed to enter their constituencies showed how deep and wide was the discontentment against the BJP government and its policies.

THE ISSUES

  The five year misrule of the BJP-HVC government proved to be a disaster for the people of the state. On every front, the government fared miserably and it touched its venal worst as far as corruption was concerned. The economic front saw a mess. The loan liabilities increased from Rs 4000 crore to Rs 16000 crore, with a large chunk of it gong into the pockets of BJP leaders and its ministers. Much of the rampant corruption occurred in the lucrative sector of private hydel power generation for which the state government signed MoUs with private parties. Charges of corruption in this sector were not only levied by the opposition, but also by the ministers belonging to the ruling party.

  The dragon of unemployment has already crossed the 9 lakh figure in a population of just 60 lakhs. This figure is from the official records of the employment exchanges, which consists of only the educated unemployed. Hence, the actual figure would be an alarming 14 lakh. The policies of liberalisation and privatisation further squeezed the avenues of employment generation in the state. In addition the BJP government developed the culture of accepting bribes from all those seeking employment in government services. The Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB) has become a den of corruption. It is in such a background that the state went to the elections.

  OUR TACTICS

  The CPI(M) formulated its tactics under the guidelines of the Party Congress and gave the slogan of defeating the BJP. The Party discussed the viability of forming a third front in the state and came to a conclusion that it cannot be done for a variety of reasons. Firstly, going by our classical understanding the third front shall emerge out of struggles and of the consistent non-Congress, non-BJP parties. But in Himachal Pradesh, the non-Congress, non-BJP parties were either very opportunist or were very meagre in their strength. In this context the state committee decided to contest limited seats and concentrate its fire against the BJP. It accordingly decided to put up candidates in 4 seats (election to the fourth seat will take place in June due to snow).  The CPI also adopted the same tactics and contested 6 seats. 

BJP’s COMMUNAL CAMPAIGN

 The BJP tried to communalise and vitiate the atmosphere by raising communal issues like cow slaughter and temple construction during the campaign. Such issues were raised by none other than the prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. The BJP even tried to play the regional card of old Himachal and new Himachal posing themselves to be true representatives of lower Himachal (new Himachal). From sadhus and sadhvis to leaders like Narender Modi, L K Advani and Vajpayee were requisitioned for the campaign. There was unprecedented usage of money by the BJP. It used helicopters extensively in the campaign. Every wall was plastered with costly colourful posters of BJP. In many places Rs 1000 currency notes were distributed. However, the people firmly rejected their campaign and gave them a strong drubbing. Had the Congress party fought the polls with more cohesion, the BJP would have not even ended with a double digit tally. The Congress finally got 40 seats while the BJP ended with 16 seats. 5 rebel candidates of the Congress and 2 others belonging to smaller parties got elected in  the 65 segments that went to election.

CPI(M) PERFORMANCE

 In the 3 seats contested in these polls, the Party was able to put up a formidable and brave performance in the Shimla seat where its candidate Sanjay Chauhan stood second pushing the BJP to the third position. The BJP had won this seat in the last elections. The CPI(M) lost by a margin of 2000 votes.

 The CPI(M)’s campaign in Shimla is primarily carried out by students and youth as the Party’s strength is formidable amongst these sections. With exams around the corner, very few students remained in the hostels. In one of the polling booth of hostel students only 18 per cent polling took place thereby giving a picture of the involvement and participation of the students in the campaign.

 Another factor that impacted the Party’s performance was the return of a sizeable section of the electorate to their home towns (adjoining constituencies) for voting there.

Despite these factors, the Party’s campaign was carried out in an energetic manner. It was generally led by the other sections of the society, especially the employees which happened for the first time in the history of Shimla elections. The Party organised three mass meetings which were addressed by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) J&K state secretary Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami and CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Sarla Maheshwari. Md Yakub, youth leader from J&K also campaigned in the city.

 Election offices were opened in different wards and the campaigning was decentralised for wider reach. Two street theatre teams – one from Jan Natya Manch (Delhi) and another a local one from the town - staged numerous shows in favour of the CPI(M) candidate.

 The Congress and the BJP used all manoeuvres including rampant distribution of alcohol, gifts in the form of blankets etc. Despite all this, the CPI(M) candidate got a good lead in three major areas, but lost out considerably in two other areas. Ultimately, the well carried out campaign and the close finish has enthused the Party cadres.