The election results show the BJP swiftly moving towards an undisputed win in Himachal Pradesh. There is reason for the Congress to be worried in the state.
Where was Congress president Rahul Gandhi and the leadership when 83-year-old Dhumal was campaigning for the party alone in Himachal? They seemed to have given up even before giving a real fight to the BJP on the ground.
Now, if this was the Congress’ strategy to let Singh campaign alone, thinking he would wield enough influence to help them form government, then it may have backfired.
Corruption charges against Virbhadra Singh made many headlines, but the Congress leadership distanced themselves from the incumbent CM. Singh and his family’s repeated defence was that this was happening due to a personal vendetta the BJP had against them.
Should they have done more to support that argument? After all, Virbhadra Singh was only an accused, not pronounced guilty by court.
Could they have dared to put another face as the contender to be Himachal’s CM? Well, they could, but then again, who do they have? The Congress rarely ever has a number 2 to take on after a strong regional leader – a problem that the BJP has never had.
Not just these concerns, but the Congress also has to answer if they lost touch with certain ground realities.
All these concerns were pertinent to win over votes, but did the Congress do enough?
The difference in the projection of seats scream worry for the Congress.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)