Thrice unlucky, hopeful now
Pratibha Singh
Tribune News Service
Badsar (Hamirpur), May 15
Having lost parliamentary polls thrice, sitting MLA Ram Lal Thakur is hoping to break the jinx this time round. A five-time legislator from Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Ram Lal is an experienced hand who is familiar with the area and issues and knows the people who matter, which is evident from his style of campaign.
Though he lost the parliamentary polls in 2004, 2007 and 2008, the Congress still decided to field him as he enjoys good support in Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts, which comprise the constituency. As we join the Congress contestant, he heads for Samtana village along with sitting Badsar MLA Inder Dutt Lakhanpal, party office-bearers and some retired Army officers. The cavalcade arrives in the village to a warm reception by supporters, a majority among them women.
“It’s time to ask your MP (read Anurag Thakur) what has he done for you over the past 15 years. He was used to winning elections with the help of his CM father but now that he doesn’t occupy the chair, the son will have to fend for himself and be answerable and accountable to the voters,” he remarks, raising the anti-incumbency factor. His biggest criticism for his opponent is his “disconnect” with the masses, claiming “the MP devotes more time to cricket and other engagements than to issues on the ground”.
With many retired Army personnel and the families of serving soldiers seated in the gathering, Ram Lal takes on PM Modi for “misleading” people on ‘One rank, one pension’. “It is the Congress which approved the pension scheme for the faujis… not for votes, but considering it’s a genuine issue… Unlike Modi, the Congress never politicised the Army or took credit for any acts of bravery by its personnel. It’s a selfish trend started by Modi and his BJP.”
At another meeting, Ram Lal says he is confident of pulling it off this time, particularly with the support of his one-time rival Suresh Chandel, a three-time former BJP MP who switched sides recently and is campaigning for the Congress. The Congress is also hoping to benefit from the fact that several BJP leaders, including RR Kaundal from Jhanduta (Bilaspur) and Anil Dhiman from Bhoranj, are disgruntled and inactive.
It’s around 10 pm and Ram Lal has addressed 12 meeting — at Samtana, Ghangota, Bijhri, Maharal, Bada Gran, Jajri, Chakmoh, Birswi, Garli, Bumblu, Karer and Morsu. “Expect a surprise this time,” he tells The Tribune.
