The Hindu : HVC holds the key to power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 21, 2003

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HVC holds the key to power

By Sujay Mehdudia

MANDI FEB. 20. Although Kangra district holds the key to who rules from Shimla, the focus has turned on the 10 Assembly segments of Mandi district which is said to be the stronghold of "Panditji'' as the former Union Minister and Himachal Vikas Congress president, Sukh Ram, is fondly called by the people of Himachal Pradesh. The outcome of elections in these seats could prove to be crucial for the formation of the next government in the hill State and Mr. Sukh Ram is trying his best to once again hold the balance of power.

Not only did the HVC prove to be a tough opponent during the 1998 Assembly polls, it also rocked the Congress boat by winning five Assembly seats and also cornering a major chunk of votes in other segments, helping the BJP secure unexpected victories and damaging the Congress cause.

With the battle for the ballot set for February 26, Mandi district is back in the limelight. A coalition partner of the BJP, the HVC of Mr. Sukh Ram has parted ways with it and is somehow come closer to the Congress. Not only is Mr. Sukh Ram talking about a post-poll alliance with Congress, he has also put up weak candidates or withdrawn some to help the Congress. In fact, the battle for the ten seats is not only crucial for the Congress and the BJP but also for the future political survival of the Brahamin leader who is best remembered for ushering in a telecom revolution in Himachal Pradesh. Mandi district has always found importance on the political map of the State and many Ministers have found place in the various Cabinets during the past two and a half decades. Prominent among those who have secured good Cabinet berths include the Speaker of the dissolved Assembly, Gulab Singh, who is now contesting from Jogindernagar in the same district. Similarly, Congress bigwigs like Kaul Singh and Rangila Ram Rao have held ministerial berths in previous Governments.

The HVC had four Ministers in the Prem Kumar Dhumal Government from Mandi district. While one of them, Mohinder Singh, representing Dharampur, fell out with Mr. Sukh Ram and floated his own outfit, Mansa Ram (Karsog) and Prakash Chaudhary (Balh) joined the BJP and became Ministers. Mr. Sukh Ram, who represents the Mandi Sadar Assembly segment, is this time engaged in a three-corner contest with Kiran Rani (BJP) who belongs to the royal family of Kullu, and veteran Congressman, D D Thakur. Ms. Kiran Rani is the sister of the sitting MP from Mandi, Maheshwar Singh, and her other brother is the Education Minister in Dhumal Government.

While Mr. Sukh Ram has clearly indicated his preference for the Congress in any post-poll scenario, his rivalry with the former Chief Minister, Virbhadra Singh, could prove to be an obstacle in any smooth transaction between the Congress and the HVC. It is another matter that Mr. Sukh Ram is considered close to the anti-Virbhadra camp comprising the PCC president, Vidya Stokes, and veteran leader, Sat Mahajan. In the current context, both the Ministers -- Mr. Mansa Ram and Mr. Prakash Chaudhary -- who had joined the BJP and resigned on the poll-eve to return to their parent organisation are contesting on the HVC ticket. Their return has strengthened the position of Mr.Sukh Ram the HVC could once again probably play a crucial role in the aftermath of elections in case there is no clear mandate.

During the 1998 elections, the HVC fielded 62 candidates for the 68 Assembly segments and won five seats securing 9.43 per cent votes in the Mandi district. Later, during the 1999 Lok Sabha polls, the HVC vote share rose to 12 per cent as it won the Shimla Lok Sabha seat making it a force to recoken with. This time also, HVC could well prove to be the deciding factor.

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