Cong willing, Himachal to dump BJP

Now, as one travels across the state, young men are everywhere and a majority of them wave the Congress flag. Even those who do not profess any party affiliation are quick talk of a badlav ki lahar (wave of change).

‘‘Only dhan ya Dhumal can get you a job in this state,’’ exclaim a bunch of young men in Pali village in Drang constituency, referring to the widespread feeling that only high connection or bribe can get one a job through the Subordinate Services Selection Board set up by the government.

Another group of students in Jogindernagar complains that for all the talk of Central assistance, no money has trickled down to their village. And in Banjar near Kullu, a youth sarcastically agrees with the BJP claims that there has been tremendous development: ‘‘Ji haan, mehengai ka vikas hua hai (Inflation has progressed).’’

The two factors fuelling the youth revolt are education and unemployment. HP has one of the highest literacy rates in the country and a large percentage of students go for higher education. The state also boasts of a vibrant students’ movement with both the SFI and the ABVP entrenched in the campuses.

But once out of college, avenues of employment are few. The government is the biggest employer but privatisation, retrenchment and a ban on recruitment in many departments has brought down government jobs drastically. Private enterprise invariably employs ‘‘outsiders’’ is the common complaint.

With unemployment figures reaching a phenomenal 11 lakh (out of a 40 lakh electorate), it is natural that frustrated youth — too educated to go back to agriculture, not rich enough to start their own business — are in the forefront of the campaign for change.

Corruption charges against the Dhumal government have stuck because corruption affects their lives. Last year, for instance, a youth committed suicide in front of the health minister’s house because he failed to get a job despite allegedly giving a bribe.

Whether the Congress — crippled by infighting at the top and rebel candidates below — can reap the benefits of this mood is an open question. One former student activist put it aptly: ‘‘The Congress will have to work hard to lose this election, and many partymen are doing just that.’’