Sympathy factor, backstabbing caused bypoll debacle: Himachal CM Thakur

Tribune News Service

Mandi, November 22

After conducting a review meeting about the BJP debacle in the recently held byelection to the Mandi parliamentary constituency to assess the causes, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today said that sympathy factor, backstabbing within the party and overconfidence were key reasons for the BJP defeat in the three Assembly constituencies and one parliamentary constituency.

Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister said that during the review meeting it was observed that Congress candidate Pratibha Singh, wife of former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, gained due to sympathy factor in a particular region.

“Apart from this, overconfidence among BJP leaders was a major reason for the party debacle in this election. Each BJP leader, including MLAs, party office-bearers and workers, worked hard but there was a need to bring voters at polling booths to cast the votes because it was observed that during the byelection voters did not take much interest. As a result, polling percentage was low in Mandi,” he said.

To a question the Chief Minister said that “backstabbing within the party could not be ruled out. We are assessing all major factors, which are responsible for the defeat of the BJP. Party executives meet will be held at Shimla on November 24, 25 and 26 to review the causes of defeat and to take corrective measures to gear up the party for the Assembly elections due next year.”

“During the BJP regime in the state in the last four years, development was done but we failed to connect with the people. Now, focus will be on enhancing connectivity with the common public,” he remarked.

“I take responsibility for this defeat. It is a wake-up call for us. We will work hard to ensure the party victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. The outcome of byelection results will not benefit the Congress in the next year’s elections. In the past, by-elections had been lost by the ruling parties whether it is Congress or BJP,” said Thakur.

Wake-up call for us, says CM

I take the responsibility for the defeat. It is a wake-up call for us. We will work hard to ensure the party’s victory in the upcoming Assembly elections. The outcome of the byelections will not benefit the Congress in the elections next year. In the past, the ruling parties, both Congress and BJP, had lost the byelections. — Jai Ram Thakur, Chief Minister