Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the Himalayas, has long been dominated by a dual-party system. For decades, the state’s political landscape has been controlled by the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with power oscillating between them almost every election cycle. This cyclical switch has prevented any government from ruling for more than one consecutive term, with rare exceptions in 1952 and 1967.
The political arena in Himachal Pradesh has been shaped by towering figures such as Virbhadra Singh from the Congress and Prem Kumar Dhumal from the BJP. Virbhadra Singh, a six-time Chief Minister, was a stalwart who influenced the state’s politics for decades, focusing on development and social welfare, which earned him a loyal following.
Conversely, Prem Kumar Dhumal, during his two terms as Chief Minister, introduced significant infrastructural improvements and economic initiatives. Virbhadra’s style was more populist and inclusive, while Dhumal’s was conservative and development-focused.
Their legacies continue through their progeny. Anurag Thakur, son of Prem Kumar Dhumal, has risen to prominence in the central government and was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports.
However, his rise has not been without controversy. In the 2022 state assembly elections, Anurag’s political manoeuvres sidelined his father, creating a significant rift within the BJP’s state unit. This move, viewed by many as a strategic power play, allowed Anurag to consolidate control but at the cost of internal party unity.
Similarly, Vikramaditya Singh, son of Virbhadra Singh, seems to be following a contentious path. Recently, four former Congress members joined the BJP, only to be defeated in subsequent by-elections. This victory temporarily increased the Congress MLA count to 38 in the 65-member house, providing a brief respite from political turmoil.
The crisis began in February when six Congress MLAs voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, leading to their disqualification and sparking an internal power struggle within the Congress.
The conflict between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the family of the late Virbhadra Singh dates back to 2013. Virbhadra criticized Sukhu’s appointment as the Congress state president, setting the stage for a long-standing rivalry. Following the Congress’s victory in the 2022 elections, factionalism became more pronounced, with Sukhu and Pratibha Singh, Virbhadra’s widow, leading opposing camps.
Pratibha Singh’s aspirations to become Chief Minister, citing her late husband’s legacy, were thwarted by Sukhu’s stronger political support within the party. This ongoing tension has seen Vikramaditya Singh consistently raising concerns about the government’s functioning, leading to a brief resignation, which he later retracted, highlighting the internal strife within the party.
Adding to the complexity of Vikramaditya Singh’s political journey is his reluctant involvement in the Lok Sabha elections. Despite expressing no interest in contesting and wanting to focus on state-level politics, Vikramaditya was pushed into the national political arena. This decision was influenced by internal party dynamics and the desire of certain factions within the Congress to leverage his family’s legacy for electoral gain.
The push for Vikramaditya to contest the Lok Sabha elections, despite his reluctance, underscores the internal power struggles and the tactical manoeuvring that often take precedence over genuine public service. His candidacy was less about his personal ambition and more about the party’s strategic interests, which further complicated his political stance and highlighted the fissures within the Congress.
This internal discord raises significant questions about the motives behind such political manoeuvres. Are these actions driven by a genuine desire to serve the public, or are they more about personal ambition and power consolidation?
‘Elite’ politics that prioritises personal gains over public welfare
Both Anurag Thakur and Vikramaditya Singh, despite their political pedigrees, seem to be caught in a cycle of elite politics that prioritises personal gains over public welfare. Their actions, whether strategic or impulsive, cast a shadow over their commitment to the public trust and legacy they have inherited.
Himachal Pradesh has rarely witnessed such blatant party-switching behaviour, particularly from leaders with substantial legacies and public trust. The disqualification of the six Congress legislators and Vikramaditya Singh’s brief resignation have added fuel to the fire, putting the Singh family’s long-standing influence under scrutiny. The people of Himachal Pradesh are now left to ponder whether future leaders will remain steadfast in their commitments or succumb to the temptations of political manoeuvring.
The need for a credible third front in Himachal Pradesh has never been more apparent. Neither Anurag Thakur, as a central minister, nor Vikramaditya Singh has addressed critical issues like the devastating floods and landslides that the state faced last year.
These natural disasters wreaked havoc, displacing thousands and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. The lack of substantial intervention from the state’s prominent leaders highlighted the gap between political rhetoric and ground reality.
The cyclical dual-party dominance in Himachal Pradesh has led to a stagnation of political innovation and responsiveness. Though one might have hopes from the next faces, leaders such as Anurag Thakur and Vikramaditya Singh, despite their influential backgrounds, seem to be more engrossed in internal power struggles than addressing the pressing needs of the people.
The state’s political landscape is ripe for a third front that can break the cycle of binary choices and offer a fresh, people-centric approach to governance. Only then can Himachal Pradesh hope to see a political environment that truly reflects its diverse society and meets the aspirations of its people.
Nirmanyu Chouhan is a researcher at Lokniti, CSDS.
