Congress candidate Pranab Mukherjee’s landslide victory over the BJP’s official candidate PA Sangma in Indian presidential election might not amaze many, but what’s surprising here is a widening chasm in Himachal Pradesh BJP unit as some of its members have cross voted in the favor of Congress candidate.
In Himachal Pradesh, Pranab Mukherjee got 23 votes to Sangma’s 14; despite being it has 42 legislators in the 68-member house. Assembly election is schedule in Himachal Pradesh later this year and BJP Himachal unit is working hard to keep party unite before the final showdown. BJP is already getting flakes from its founder members, whom had floated new political outfit Himachal Lokhit Party and has also formed third front with CPM and CPI. Its Kangra MP, Rajan Sushant, MLA Kushi Ram Balnata are also vocal against Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and had demanded his replacement in the state. However, senior party leader Shanta Kumar is now sharing dais with Prem kumar Dhumal, but in his address he refrain to mention CM’s achievements and solely concentrate to target Congress leader and his old rival Virbhadra Singh, shows that still there are some unresolved issues between them.
Though BJP is working hard on its much touted ‘Mission Repeat’ and targeting UPA Govt over corruption and making its developmental work as a plank to garner electorate support, but such serious organizational disobedience can mar party’s chance in the forthcoming assembly election.
