HIMACHAL ELECTION RESULTS

The cat is out of the bag and anxious moments are over. Though I hold no brief for any Party,the Congress having come out victorious to form the Government have reason enough to be happy though not any reason to feel elated.  This has been an inequal fight, the BJP being more resourceful be it money power,an army of dedicated workers, backing of Corporate owned Media etc. etc. The Congress has had not one adversary but many.

I am amused with the idea of star campaigners comprising the Prime Minister,the Union Home Minister, other Cabinet Ministers and CMs of BJP ruled states descending upon the tiny Hill state  with  the all too familiar narrative of purported achievements,with the backing of a supportive media, more often than not sounding ludirous especially in the context of a State assembly election. Quite naturally, this did not go down entirely well with the educated and well informed electorate of the State.

The narrative of double engine so brazenly touted by the ruling dispensation  was in fact a mockery of the federal system prevailing in the Country and was rightly rejected by the people. Moreover the aspirations and expectations differ  from state to state. The mention of a Bhavya Mandir or Jai Shriram ki dahaad may appeal more to UP than Himachal which otherwise has a host of magnificent Temples as also a very large number of Temples of local deities. A clear vision or perspective for Himachal was found missing in speeches and rallies.

As for the winners and losers, while most of the results are on expected lines, the shock has come with the defeat of Kaul SinghThakur, Asha Kumari, Rakesh Singha & Gangu Ram Musafir. Among winners,Mr. Jagat Singh Negi from Kinnaur makes a hat trick !!

 It maybe naive to think that OPS was the only core issue. Besides,issue of rising prices and growing unemployment was not addressed.Apple growers have had their own grievances.

The new  government have an onerous task of fulfilling promises.

Hope they do not fail the electorate !!