The Newz Radar
Shimla: The nomination of Harsh Mahajan, a former Congress leader now with the BJP, as the Rajya Sabha candidate against Congress nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Himachal Pradesh has sparked significant interests and speculations.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the BJP high command directly instructed the state leadership to make this move, leaving members of both political parties perplexed.
Senior BJP leaders believe that this move by the party high command may indicate the inclination of disgruntled Congress leaders towards the BJP. It is speculated that some Congress leaders, dissatisfied with their party, might have met with BJP leadership, leading to this strategic nomination.
However, those within the Congress holding positions of power are concerned for obvious reasons. Several individuals responsible for maintaining the government’s stability are seen as politically inexperienced. Over the past year, they have failed to effectively communicate Chief Minister Sukhu’s focus on achieving financial freedom and stability for the state to masses.
Amidst the political maneuvering, some insiders anticipate a cross-voting scenario, while BJP leaders in the state are strategically positioning themselves for future developments.
A prominent Congress leader expressed confidence, stating, “Take my words, we will be on the safer side, and nothing adverse is going to happen. We are working on it,” when questioned about the outcome of fielding Harsh Mahajan.
A senior correspondent with insights into the power corridors suggested that the Congress’s primary concern should be the selection of a competent team to execute the Chief Minister’s vision, rather than fixating on the Rajya Sabha dynamics.
A senior BJP leader, when contacted, emphasized the three key elements in politics – “maan, apmaan, and swabhimaan” (respect, insult, and self-respect). He noted that there are many within the ruling Congress who are dissatisfied with Sukhu, which may play in favor of Harsh Mahajan.
Harsh Mahajan, a three-term MLA and former Congress member, joined the BJP during the recent state assembly polls. With 40 Congress MLAs and 25 BJP MLAs in the Himachal assembly, the numerical advantage lies with the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections. However, the presence of independent and rebel BJP MLAs adds an element of unpredictability.
