I have heard it a zillion times.
Himachal Pradesh has a custom of changing the guards of its political corridors alternatively. Well! It might be a recent observation. But it is not written on the stones. The political history of the state will help you interpret it better.
The history
Jai Ram Thakur is the 17th and the present Chief Minister of the state. Besides, he is the fourth BJP candidate to occupy the Chief Minster’s chair in the state.
The process of elections commenced in 1952 in HP.
Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, the four chronological terms torchbearer of INC became the first chief minister. His era ended in 1977.
With the shift of power to his successor Ram Lal Thakur (28.10.1977-30.04.1977). Nonetheless, the charge changed hands. It hovered at the same party.
SHANTA ERA in Himachal political History
For the first time, Himachal Pradesh had another preference. It came with the face of Shanta Kumar (26.06.1977-14.02.1980). He was a Janta party candidate. Shanta Kumar became the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh.
He has the credit of becoming a two-time chief minister of the state.
His first term was with Janta Party. While his second term (05.03.1990-14.12.1992) was with BJP. These two terms gave Shanta a chance to be the sixth and the tenth chief minister of the state.
Ram Lal Thakur took over as the seventh (14.02.1980-07-041983)chief minister again. With a different party and the same chair.
Hence, by 1983 Himachal Pradesh had seen seven terms. In these seven terms, INC had ruled for five continuous terms. Janta Party and Cong. I got a term each.
Vir Bhadra Singh’s contribution to Himachal political history
In the eighth term, another new face was brought to light as chief minister. He was Vir Bhadra Singh. Popularly called Raja Sahab. Singh made history by becoming a six-time chief minister of Himachal Pradesh.
He was our eighth (08.04.1983-08.03.1985), ninth (08.03.1985-04.03.1990), eleventh(03.12.1993-04.03.1998), twelfth(05.03.1998-23.03.1998), fourteenth(06.03.2003-29.12.2012) and sixteenth(25.12.2012-26.12.2017) Chief minster.
Dhumal time
Lucky for some, unlucky for some became lucky for Prem Kumar Dhumal. This was when he became the thirteenth(24.03.1998-05.03.2003) chief minister of HP. He was a BJP candidate. Dhumal returned to power as the fifteenth(30.12.2007-24.12.2012) chief minister of the state.
Therefore, it is deduced that with a shortage of CM candidates, Himachal has struggled with a few names only. The last five terms did witness an alternate change in the political regime. But congress has dominated the political game so far.
While the old faces resist fading, the new ones are away from shine. Family political linage is another significant game-changer in Himachal. Recent abrupt allocations within have lead to boils in dependable party worker’s enthusiasm. The caste-based division is another tornado that has propelled many meriting Cheif ministerial candidates out.
On one side Singh still professes to contest elections. While on the other Dhumal has a citadel within the party. A fact being also that his son Anurag Thakur holds an influential position in the centre.
The insinuation of AAP is visible in the state. After sweeping the floor with its forty member team in panchayat elections. It is working inaudibly but progressively for 2022.
Himachal Pradesh is a tiny hamlet with monstrous political influence. The state university is abuzz with political activities. It is an indication of conscious and confident minds the state accumulates.
Himachal has its eyes on 2022.
