Bhoranj defeat starts blame game in Cong

Bhoranj bypoll was a cakewalk for Bharatiya Janata Party’s political green horn Anil Dhiman. However, the outcome has reflected on the popularity of Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh.

While the BJP that led a focused and consistent campaign is buoyant over its victory, the defeat of Congress candidate Promila Devi has triggered a blame game in the party.

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh has reportedly blamed party’s inactive campaign for the debacle. On the other hand, state party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has submitted a report regarding the reasons that led to the debacle as the party candidate lost a by margin of over 8,000 votes.

The factionalism in the Congress has certainly cost heavy for the party. Congress campaign from the beginning was marred by dissidence. The party initially allotted the ticket to Prem Kaushal but later gave it to Promila Devi.

Factionalism was also evident during the campaign where party leaders campaigned separately.

Senior Irrigation and public health minister Vidya Stokes, health minister Kaul Singh Thakur campaigned separately and party chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and those owing allegiance to him campaigned separately. However, Congress leaders believe that the sympathy factor helped the BJP.

Former education minister Ishwar Dass Dhiman had won the elections six times in a row. After his death, the party allocated a ticket to his son, Anil Dhiman.

The BJP’s win ahead of the assembly elections, which are due this year, has raised hopes of the party, who are now sure of a win in the elections. “People have outrightly rejected Virbhadra Singh government and its policies. Rather they have voted against corruption in the Congress government,” says BJP state chief Satpal Singh Satti.

BJP had initiated a state-wide campaign ‘Mafia Hatao Pradesh Bachao’ campaign against the Congress government. After the Delhi court rejected Virbhadra Singh plea to quash corruption cases against him and simultaneously CBI chargesheeted him in money laundering cases, BJP had been pressing for his resignation. “Why does Virbhadra Singh fears probe if he is not guilty of wrongdoings?” asked BJP spokesperson Randhir Sharma.