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Himachal Elections 2017: Why Shah and Modi reposed their faith on ex-CM Prem Kumar Dhumal

Last chance for glory for Prem Kumar Dhumal

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Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during launch of BJP Golden Vision document for the Assembly elections, in Shimla on Sunday
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Over the last decade or so, one of the lesser-realised phenomena that has helped BJP to catapult to success nationally is how well the state organisations have performed. Indeed, while Modi and Shah gave the saffron organisation a cutting edge and killer instinct which it lacked before, the state units especially in North, Central and Western India dedicatedly played its part by ensuring steadfast public support for BJP.

It has resulted in many BJP state governments getting elected multiple times. Unfortunately for the saffron party, Himachal Pradesh hasn't fit the pattern. 

The party has never ruled for two consecutive terms and have shared power alternately with Congress post 1990. Hence it was a reasonable assumption that Modi and Shah would look for a new face this time around. However, with only 10 days to go for the elections, Amit Shah has named two-time CM Prem Kumar Dhumal as the CM candidate for the hill state. 

Dhumal at 73 doesn't exactly fit the bill of BJP's unwritten rule of no elected representative over the age of 75. But with a state to be won, and some apprehensions over the fall-out of GST among small businessmen of Himachal, the BJP leadership felt it was prudent to trust the old warhorse. In the last election, the party by its own admission lost despite good ground work due to rebel issues.

This time around, BJP is cautious and is in no mood to cede space to Congress, which is facing corruption charges and anti-incumbency. Hence, Dhumal was named to give a clear message to everyone about the high command’s wish.

Congress has levelled corruption charges against Dhumal in the past in connection with leasing out land at throwaway prices for building cricket stadiums. However, in public eye, Dhumal's image remains largely unscathed. 

 A sound administrator, Dhumal has been in touch with the grassroots looking to exploit every gaffe of the Virbhadra Singh government. 

A lawyer and lecturer in early life, Dhumal cut his teeth in politics with his association with Bharatiya Janata Yuva Marcha. His brush with electoral politics started when he unsuccessfully contested the LS elections in 1984. He won in 1989 and 91, before losing out in 96. Not crestfallen by the loss, Dhumal concentrated on building the party organisation in the state and became CM in 1998. He completed a full term and won accolades for his solid developmental work. However, the party came up a cropper in the election winning only 16 seats. 

Dhumal had a second bite of the apple in 2007, after Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government was ousted. Dhumal and his government won several awards from the Central government for its impressive performances, but it was not enough to shake Himachalis of their two-and-half-decade old practice of throwing out incumbent government. The presence of Himachal Lokhit Party formed by former BJP state chief didn't help Dhumal's cause. 

BJP has been reeling from dissident woes this time too. The high command will hope that Dhumal, at the business end of the campaign will  help ome down on it. Dhumal's son Anurag Thakur is a rising star in Indian politics. But Dhumal, once called the Sadwakwala CM for contesting from unfamiliar seat of Sujanpur, instead of his bastion of Hamirpur, is in no mood to fade into oblivion. 'Son' rise can wait, the ageing patriarch is still padded up for another long innings. The wily politician probably is aware that it is hislast chance to go for glory and he is ready to grab it with both hands. 

 

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