Shanta signs off with ‘no regrets whatsoever’

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune news Service

Shimla, March 24

It’s curtains on electoral innings of two-time Chief Minister Shanta Kumar, undoubtedly the tallest and most widely respected leader that Kangra has ever produced.

What set him apart from his contemporaries was his plain-speaking for which, by his own admission, he has very often had to pay a price. But there are no regrets. Rather, looking back he is proud of “every moment” of his political career.

“I have opted out of electoral politics but will continue to serve the people. I wish to devote more time to my dream project — Vivekanand Hospital and Medical Research Trust in Palampur,” he says. He will campaign for party candidate from Kangra Kishan Kapoor to ensure his victory. 

Shanta Kumar has won accolades for his writing skills. He has 15 books on literature and poetry to his credit. Even his political opponent Virbhadra Singh is all praise for him for maintaining propriety even amid trying circumstances.

Shanta Kumar, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were part of BJP’s “margdarshak mandal”. None were included in the Union Ministry because of their age. Shanta Kumar is till date remembered for his decision on “no work, no pay” when he was CM, a decision no politician would have dared to take.

He became the first non-Congress CM in 1977 when the Janata Party won the polls in Himachal. He became CM again in 1990.  

Shanta Kumar was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989, 1998 and 1999 and 2014. He had a stint as Rajya Sabha member in 2008. He served as Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution and then Rural Development in the Vajpayee government.