‘In Himachal, Congress promised 5 lakh jobs… how will we face people (in LS elections)’

You recently wrote a letter on unemployment to the Chief Minister and posted it on Facebook. Why?

I wanted to raise a few issues, that’s why I wrote to the Chief Minister. Firstly, there are around 5,000 candidates awaiting jobs on compassionate grounds. When in Opposition (2017 to 2022), we raised their issues, but now we have forgotten them. There are thousands of vacancies which should be filled according to norms.

Secondly, the Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB) was disbanded after paper leaks. It should be restored and deserving candidates appointed to run it efficiently.

Thirdly, the results of the candidates who appeared in the exams conducted by the SSSB should be declared. There is frustration among the youth. They are ageing.

Since we are going to the Lok Sabha elections, how will we face the people? How will we address their concerns? That’s why I wrote the letter.

Are you playing the Opposition to your own government?

No, not at all. I just raised people’s issues. Is there a rule that prohibits ruling party MLAs from raising people’s issues? During the Assembly elections, we had promised five lakh jobs in five years. We need to act fast in this direction as one year has already passed.

Did you get the CM’s reply?

The CM asked me why I put the letter on social media. I told him I had been raising this issue with him behind closed doors. Kisi ko pata nahin ki maine baat ki ya nahin ki (No one knows whether I took up the matter or not). Now people know I have raised the issue. They are very happy. I got good feedback on this.

By raising such issues, are you cosying up to your former party BJP?

I was indeed with the BJP from 2003 to 2011. I looked after their media affairs. In 2012, I fought as an Independent in the Assembly elections and won with a record margin.

I fought against (Union Minister) Anurag Thakur on a Congress ticket in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections after resigning from the MLA’s seat but lost. I defeated Prem Kumar Dhumal in the 2017 Assembly elections. He was the chief ministerial candidate of the BJP. His party won but he lost.

There is no cosying up to the BJP. Khul ke baat karne se aadmi khush rehta hai.

Are you ready to contest against Anurag Thakur again in 2024?

I won’t fight this time. There are two reasons for this. First, at least six months are needed to prepare for the LS polls, but now only two months have been left, which is insufficient for one to enter the fray.

Secondly, I am the working president of the party’s state unit. If I was not deemed fit to be a minister in the state government, though my name was there on the first list of candidates, how can I be considered fit to fight the parliamentary polls?

Apart from unemployment, is there any issue you feel like taking up?

Under the BJP government, cases were filed against Congress workers for participating in protests and demonstrations. These cases have not been taken back despite our party being at the helm. We should fulfil our commitments and honour our party workers.
The CM had on March 5, 2023, come to my Sujanpur constituency and made six announcements. Two of them have been fulfilled, but four are still pending.

How do you see the party’s prospects in the LS polls, especially in the wake of the Ram temple consecration and an opinion survey giving all four seats in the state to the BJP?

The Congress needs to work harder. However, nothing can be said for sure until candidates are declared.