TNR Exclusive: Himachal Congress working president claims party will sweep elections
Newly appointed Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee working president Chander Shekhar claims that former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur was scared of contesting the Lok Sabha poll, resulting which the BJP fielded actress Kangana Ranaut from Mandi. In an interview with Munish Sood of The Newz Radar, the lone Congress MLA from Mandi district opens up on a slew of issues, including how confident his party is in the upcoming elections.
Q: The Congress has entrusted you with a responsibility, albeit belatedly. Are you satisfied with this appointment?
A: I consider myself a responsible soldier of the Congress, and the party has honoured me greatly. Wherever I am today, it’s because of the Congress. I voluntarily took up this responsibility because I felt strengthening the organisation amidst the current circumstances is crucial, and I should contribute in that direction.
Q: But people believe this responsibility wouldn’t have come your way had the six Congress MLAs not rebelled. Their rebellion has brought in focus those sidelined till now. What do you think?
Answer: The Congress rebellion has nothing to do with my role. The party has entrusted me with this responsibility based on my dedication and long-standing commitment to the party. I want to work for the party’s internal strengthening, and it’s not about the government. Better coordination between the government and the organisation is necessary. Can’t help if you perceive it differently.
Q: Does the role assigned to you come with actual powers or is it merely an ornamental post?
A: It’s not a government post, but a party responsibility assigned to me based on my loyalty and long struggle. I want to work towards strengthening the party so that it becomes as strong internally as it appears externally. Becoming the voice of ordinary workers is a significant responsibility.
Q: What will be your role in this post when you already have a full-time Congress state president?
A: I have been tasked with executing responsibility from booth level to the state committee. I have to assess the workers who hold posts, strengthen the party at the booth level, strengthen block committees, boost the morale of leaders and workers and fulfill other responsibilities.
Q: The elections are only a month away and the Congress is yet to announce candidates. Doesn’t it look your party is non-serious about the contest when the BJP has named all candidates?
A: Similar discussions were happening before the previous Assembly elections too. What happened eventually? We won. Such talks don’t matter. We have enough time before elections. The faces contesting elections will be from here, not from outside. There’s no need to worry; we will be winning all four Lok Sabha seats. The BJP’s condition is not good nationwide. After the first phase of voting, it’s clear that people want to oust the BJP. The national media is saying this.
Q: How will you counter Jai Ram’s popularity and BJP’s dominance in Mandi? How big a challenge you think Kangana Ranaut is?
A: It would have been better if the BJP had fielded any grassroots workers from Mandi. Instead, they brought a parachute candidate, thinking fame will win you the election. But it won’t happen…. In fact, Jai Ram was scared of contesting the Lok Sabha election. He thought if he lost, the party would snatch the Leader of Opposition’s post from him. Instead of trusting own leaders, they fielded someone who has never had any role in the BJP or social work. Kangana has become a burden on Jai Ram and the BJP.
Q: Do you think the language Congress leaders are using against Kangana is appropriate? Issues should be discussed, not someone’s personal life. What do you say?
A: Today is the era of social media, and people dig up all sorts of things, and these are the consequences of your actions. These are the deeds of your life that you have to pay for.
