Bjp-led Gujarat govt to make the most of poll commission’s delay Region over caste in ‘divided’ Himachal
RAISING EYEBROWS Some experts say Election Commission’s move to hold off on poll dates raises doubts on simultaneous polls
NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: The BJPled government in Gujarat is preparing to make the best of the opportunity offered by the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to defer the announcement of election dates.
The state government, which already announced infrastructure and social welfare projects worth ₹12,500 crore in October, is set to declare more schemes by the time the EC announces dates, bringing in force the model code of conduct (MCC).
On Thursday, the commission announced the poll date for Himachal Pradesh but chose not to fix the Gujarat election schedule. The EC’S decision, which has raised many eyebrows, was taken in deference to the Gujarat government’s plea that it needed more time to wind up ongoing relief and rehabilitation works undertaken after an “unprecedented flood” hit the state in July. The EC, however, clarified that polling would be completed in Gujarat before December 18, the date of counting of votes in HP.
“It is an avoidable controversy,” said former election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy.
Speaking to HT, the former CEC said the commission could have deferred the HP election by a week despite the possibility of inclement weather. “Besides, the MCC does not prevent relief and rehabilitation work that can be carried out by the bureaucrats without the interference of the politicians...” he said.
Official sources in Ahmedabad said inauguration of ₹550 crore ferry service connecting the two shores of the Bay of Khambhat and the launch of the Garib Kalyan Mela in districts such as Porbandar, housing for the poor, and self-employment kits are in the offing the next week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah will address a meeting of party workers in Ahmedabad on October 16. The PM’S scheduled speech ahead of the announcement of election dates has raised expectations in his home state.
On Friday, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation announced it would hold an event in which chief minister Vijay Rupani will announce projects worth ₹800 crore.
Political watchers say the commission that won accolades for its tough stance during the recent Rajya Sabha poll in Gujarat needs to offer a more detailed explanation for not announcing poll dates for Gujarat.
“I think there is a need for the commission to give a more comprehensive and comprehensible explanation for the decision. I have faith in the commission, but in this case more explanation is called for,” Jagdeep Chhokar of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.
The commission, he said, is answerable to the Constitution and through it to the people. “The commission has to not only be fair but also appear to be fair; in this case, the decision appears to be under a cloud,” Chhokar told Hindustan Times.
Sanjay Kumar, director of the Center for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), a Delhibased think tank, described the decision as “very unusual” and “indicative of pressure on EC”. He said it also questions the EC’S claims of preparedness for conducting simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, an idea the PM has been pushing for.
“In this case it was a small challenge (completion of work); tomorrow it could be bigger constitutional challenges. How does the commission that cannot hold simultaneous elections for two states, assert that it can hold synchronised polls for the whole country?” Kumar questioned.
Constitutional expert Subhash Kashyap, however, defended the EC’S decision, pointing out that it was entitled to take into account the Gujarat government’s request.
He said the EC’S powers to take a call on the election schedule do not mean that it cannot consult the administration on logistical issues. “The commission needs security forces, and administrative staff to hold elections. If a state government informs them about difficulties on the ground, the EC has to look at practical considerations,” he said. SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: In Himachal Pradesh’s electoral politics, the regional divide is more dominant a factor than caste.
The state is divided into upper and lower Himachal. While the former comprises Shimla, Sirmaur, parts of Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Solan, Kinnaur and Chamba districts, the latter is made up of Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una and the lower region of Mandi district.
Before the reorganisation of Punjab in 1966, Himachal Pradesh comprised four districts of Shimla, formerly Mahasu, Sirmaur, Chamba and Mandi. Kangra was then a district in Punjab.
After the merger, the divide in Himachal was evident. Parts of old Himachal and the newly merged areas differ in their political and economic development, and social mobilisation.
POLITICAL LEANINGS
Old Himachal has traditionally been a Congress bastion. Three of the five chief ministers so far — Yashwant Singh Parmar, Thakur Ram Lal and Virbhadra Singh — belong to this area.
It was only in 1998 when Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP-HIMAchal Vikas Congress coalition came to power that the saffron party found support in the belt. In 1996, BJP tasted defeat because of using force to quell an apple farmers’ agitation. Three farmers were killed in police firing in Kotgarh and the BJP lost power.
WHY KANGRA COUNTS
Kangra gave Himachal its first non-congress chief minister when the Janata Party formed the government under the leadership of Shanta Kumar in 1977. The BJP has come a long way since it set up its first unit in Kangra. (before delimitation) Dhumal, who served as the BJP government’s CM from 1998-2003 and 2007-12, also comes from lower Himachal’s Hamirpur.
It is a popular saying in Himachal politics that the road to Shimla goes through Kangra. Population-wise, it is the largest district and sends 15 legislators to the House. With one-fourth of the total House strength, the party that wins Kangra, forms the government.
DIVIDE BID BACKFIRES
To break Kangra’s monopoly, the BJP proposed to divide Kangra into three districts but the decision backfired and anguish among locals was seen in 2003 when the Congress won 10 seats .
In 2012, the BJP again raked up Kangra’s division into smaller districts but faced opposition.
Kangra’s decision will only be clear on December 18, the day that counts.
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