KS TOMAR
Wilful absence of five MLA’S viz. Ramesh Dhawla, Narinder Bragta, Rajeev Bindal ,Narender Thakur and Bikram Singh Jaryal from the meeting of BJP Legislature party is the indication of an open dissidence against the leadership of chief minister, Jai Ram Thakur following their resentment and annoyance over Non-inclusion in the cabinet.
As per established pattern ,cabinet expansion at the centre or state leads to dashing of the hopes of aspirants to the ground which happened with these MLAs also who were hoping against that they will get berths in the ministry but CM and national president ,J.P.Nadda had a different strategy and action plan.
The preferred and lucky ones were Sh.Rakesh Pathania(Kangra),Sh Sukh Ram Chaudhry(Sirmaur) and Sh Rajender Garg(Bilaspur)who were having blessings of RSS, Nadda and CM besides other factors like caste, region and loyalty.
Much awaited cabinet expansion was delayed due to By- polls and later outbreak of Covid 19 but it has finally taken place in a subdued manner which could be last of current left out span of CM prior to 2022 assembly elections.
Political observers opine that Bragta lost the race as he is considered close to EX CM,Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal though he tried his best to come close to CM but in vain. Bragta’s chances of induction were also remote unless Suresh Bhardwaj was dropped who has developed good relations with CM.
A fiery leader ,Rakesh Pathania got precedence in Kangra district over others as he is close to Nadda besides being Rajput.2ndly,Ramesh Dhawla, a staunch loyalist of EX CM ,Sh Shanta Kumar and hails from OBC category but his confrontation with RSS leader ,Pawan Rana might have cost him dearly .In his place, a simple and unassuming leader ,Sh Sukh Ram Chaudhry from Sirmaur got a chance as he suits CM though he is a known Dhumal loyalist. Thirdly ,Rajinder Garg’s lottery can be attributed to his closeness to Nadda besides being from same district i.e. Bilaspur.
In this backdrop, Bikram Jaryal from Chamba had no chance because deputy speaker hails from this small district.
Observers feel that Hamirpur, home district of Dhumal remains unrepresented which may cost party heavily in polls .Late party stalwart ,Jagdev Chand’s son Narender Thakur was optimist about his inclusion from Rajput quota but it did not happen as he did not get support of senior leaders.
A cursory look at entire cabinet composition reveals that CM belongs to Mandi district and departure of Sh Anil Sharma from party and cabinet did not pave the way for induction of new minister which may not impact much in future.CM defended Hamirpur’s exclusion on the ground that Sh. Anurag Thakur is in union cabinet which does not hold ground. Newly appointed state BJP chief tried to underplay the absence of five MLAs in the meeting saying that they had informed about their non availability owing to engagements which is far from truth .CLP leader, Mukesh Agnihotri has got apprehension about smooth sailing of government as open dissidence has started against CM .
Analysts believe that Kangra deserved more because it has got 15 MLAs though it has got speaker ,Sh. Vipin Parmar who is from this district but he was reportedly unhappy while surrendering cabinet ministry? Dhumal had four ministers from Kangra but currently two ministers represent this big district?
Now BJP has got new state chief and expansion of ministry is over hence no allurement can be given to aspirants to keep them in good humour .It means that they will have to live with reality of enjoying whatever they are entitled as MLAs of ruling party which is so identical to learn to living with the Corona Virus i.e a state of HELPLESSNESS ?.
