UPHILL BATTLE

AS THE POLL CAMPAIGN ENTERS THE FINAL STRETCH, WILL HIMACHAL BUCK THE TREND AND GIVE THE BJP A SECOND TERM, OR WILL THE CONGRESS FIND REDEMPTION?

- Anilesh S. Mahajan in Shimla

AS THE CAVALCADE winds down the road in Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, a much garlanded Pratibha Singh, the Congress state unit chief, steps out to loud cheers from supporters. The widow of six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh is in the region to canvass for party candidates, in this case Rajesh Dharmani in Ghumarwin. The rallies and roadshows have gone off well, considering that Bilaspur is a bastion of the rival BJP, and home to the party’s national chief J.P. Nadda. The Congress is yet to declare a chief ministerial candidate, which is perhaps why Pratibha has been going the extra mile in her campaign. A Congress win should make her one of the favourites for the top post.

The state goes to the polls on November 12 to elect 68 members to the assembly. No party has managed a repeat mandate since 1985, which should boost Congress hopes, despite the fact that it will not have Virbhadra and his organisational skills to fall back on this time. The Himachal election is crucial for both the Congress and BJP. The Congress will be hoping to break a long losing streak; it will also be a welcome gift for new party president Mallikarjun Kharge. For the BJP’s Nadda, who is eyeing a second term/ extension as party chief in January, a favourable result will only bolster his case.