Stakes are high for both BJP and Cong in Mandi

Nestled in the lap of four Himalayan rivers viz Beas, Sutlej, Ravi and Chandra-Bhaga (Chinab), the constituency spread through six districts of the state, has also three assembly segments Kinnaur, Lahual-Spiti and Bharmaur in the tribal belt going to polls simultaneously. A diverse geo-political scenario that influenced the voting trends in the Feburary 28 elections, however, continues to prevail in the belt. Sensing the mood of electorate, the BJP seems to have positioned itself for a formidable fight. “We have government in the state now and much significantly we are also in power at the Centre, why should people elect a congress member from Mandi, there is little logic behind it” asserts Mehar singh Mahant, BJP poll manager at Kullu home town of Maheshwar Singh.

In the absence of potent poll issues, the BJP is trying to project stability factor as its trump card knowing well its significance when the Vajpayee government enjoys a thin majority in the Lok Sabha. Congress is predicting an imminent fall of the BJP governments both at the Centre and in the state.

The constituency has an electorate of 9.28 lakh scattered over an area of 33,000 km, including its snow-bound peaks and cold deserts of Spiti, has strongholds like Rampur, Kinnaur, Pangi and few other tribal belts, where Virbhadra Singh is an unchallenged king. He is concentrating on these area more strategically to ensure that it gets an impressive lead in this belt.

Another important factor which is being debated are advantages or disadvantages of Sukh Ram’s withdrawal from the poll fray. Sukh Ram, who was returned to the Lok Sabha fourth time in 1996 polls, had won the seat by a record margin of 1.90 lakh. But not all his voters are likely to go to the BJP’s account and a major share of his votes, traditionally the Congress, will definitely go back to the parent party.

HVC president Sukh Ram had issued an appeal to the electorate seeking their support for the BJP. He mimself had been actively electioneering along with Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. The Congress, which had severely criticized the Election Commission for postponing the Mandi polls to June, however, is finding its campaign not very aggressive.

Contrary to this, the BJP is finding its campaign much organised as compared to the February 28 polls when party was grappling with its own internal problems.

Observers feel that except for personal influence, which Virbhara Singh enjoys in the tribal areas and parts of Mandi and Kullu, Congress is unlikely to retain its previous position.

But above all, the kind of campaigning Pratibha Singh had done in the entire Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, perhaps was an exception in itself. She had been almost to every interior, even travelling on foot with sunburns on her face and fatigue. She has tried to strike a personal chord with women, and mainly highlights the achievements of Congress government.

Maheshwar Singh, a good organiser in himself, has also toured almost all areas of the constituency seeks vote for stability to the Vajpayee government at the Centre.