From the States

HIMACHAL PRADESH
BJP continues its winning spree
From Our Correspondent

The drift in Congress continues. It is for the first time in the history of Himachal that the ruling Congress party has not won a single by-election in the State since it came to power in March 2003. The story of Congress defeats commenced when just after a gap of five months when Congress minister won the Kangra Lok Sabha seat, his son lost the by-election to the Guler assembly constituency vacated by him in October 2004. This seat had throughout been a Congress stronghold.

Congress last week received another big jolt to its prestige when its candidate lost by-election to the Shimla municipal corporation, so far considered to be the pocket borough of Congress in general and Chief Minister in particular. Since inception of the present Shimla Corporation never had BJP won this seat. The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting Congress councillor who or his wife had throughout been representing this constituency. He had also been the Deputy Mayor. The Congress candidate was the son of the deceased councillor.

Sensing the mood of the electorate the Chief Minister had not left anything to chance. For the first time a chief minister himself campaigned in a municipal council by-election. Yet the Congress lost miserably and BJP candidate Pradeep Kashyap won by a margin of 397 votes.

The importance of the contest can be gauged by the fact that Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi was immediately informed of the result and she summoned Chief Minister to explain.

On the BJP side, Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, MP and State President who marshalled a contingent of devoted workers who worked day and night held the fort. Shri Bhardwaj gave the credit for the win to the unity and devotion of party workers and leaders. Former Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal also campaigned extensively.

The consecutive wins of BJP and losses of Congress are being taken as the signs of growing disenchantment with the present Congress regime.

CHHATTISGARH
Need for better Coordination : Anant Kumar
From Our Correspondent

There should be better coordination between the office-bearers of the government and the organisation. This was stressed by Shri Anant Kumar, BJP Pradesh Prabhari in the first joint meeting of Chhattisgarh council of ministers, MPs, MLAs and office-bearers of party held at Raipur. The lines of communication between the government and party should be strong.

All those present in the meeting echoed similar sentiments. In the meeting it was suggested that MPs and MLAs should use their funds in consultation with the Mandal president and karyakartas.

It was decided that party karyakartas would visit every household in every village to spread the message of Chhattisgarh government achievements. A group of 5 to 10 karyakartas will visit at least 2 villages every day. They will try to get feedback from the villagers about the performance of the State government and the party. A folder will be prepared which will also contain a feedback form. A section to mention about the problems of the village will be included. A small public meeting will also be organised in every villages after hoisting the party flag. All ministers, public representatives, Mandal presidents and office-bearers including the Chief Minister should participate in the programmes. The ministers must make it a point to visit local party office while on tour.

Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, State BJP President Shri Shiv Pratap Singh, Senior leader Shri Lakhi Ram Agarwal, Shri Ramesh Vaish, Shri Punnulal Mohile, Shri Dilip Singh Judeo, and many ministers and office-bearers of the party were present in the meeting.