Politics of Poppy

In Himachal Pradesh, both the Congress and the BJP know the power of the flower. Not surprising then that they both claim they will do their...

In Himachal Pradesh, both the Congress and the BJP know the power of the flower. Not surprising then that they both claim they will do their best to legalise poppy cultivation in Chuhar valley of the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency.

The issue rocked state politics last year when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), with the active assistance of the Customs Department and the local police, launched a massive operation to destroy poppy fields in Mandi and Kullu district. Both the districts fall in the Mandi constituency. With the elections nearing, the issue has come alive again.

Outgoing BJP MP Maheshwar Singh who is in the fray again has raked up the issue. He never forgets to broach it in his election speeches.

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‘‘We have been persuading authorities and will do again to get poppy cultivation legal status so that the people earn their livelihood honestly,’’ he roared at one rally in the area where poppy is cultivated, spreading over an area of about 100 kilometres. He criticised the Congress government in the state for its failure to take up the matter with the Centre.

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur and Pratibha Singh, wife of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who are probable Congress candidates for the seat are also making some noise over the issue. Thakur who is a MLA from Darang, which falls in the poppy area, reacts to Maheshwar’s assertions.

‘‘Our government is committed to the cause. We know that over 20,000 families are dependent upon cultivation of crop. We have written to Centre but got no response. It has been BJP government in Centre and Maheshwar should have done something for you,’’ he says at all election meetings.

During their campaign, both Virbhadra and former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, too have been harping on the controversial issue, telling people that if they came to power, they will go all out to initiate legislation so that the growers do not face harassment at the hands of law enforcing agencies.