Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 2
Amid speculation of a Cabinet rejig and major overhaul in the party organisation post bypoll debacle, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today said all such decisions will be taken by the party high command, which has been apprised of the situation.
"Any decision on any possible change will be taken by the Central leadership who has been apprised of the situation. The feedback of the three-day party deliberations held here is also with the high command," he said. "Whatever the high command decides in the interest of the party will be acceptable to all," he said.
Major overhaul needed
- Speculation is rife about a major overhaul in the Cabinet so that the non-performing ministers are dropped
- It is being felt that some major changes will be made even in the party set up, said a BJP MLA
- The bypoll defeat had left the BJP workers demoralised, he said.
Thakur will be leaving for Delhi on December 4 to attend a function being organised by Himachali community in the national capital. He will return the next day along with BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Health Minister for a function at Bilaspur the same day.
It is for the first time that the Chief Minister will be in the national capital, post BJP's dismal performance in the bypolls for Mandi Lok Sabha and three Assembly segments. Even though it is not certain whether the Chief Minister will meet any Central leaders, this will be his first visit after BJP's dismal performance in the bypolls, including on his home turf of Mandi.
Speculation is rife in the state about a major overhaul in the Cabinet so that the non-performing ministers are dropped to make way for new faces, who can be given an opportunity to perform within the next one year before the Assembly polls are held by the end of 2022.
It is being felt that some major changes will be made even in the party set up. "The BJP's dismal performance needs major overhaul in the party. Only then we can take on the rejuvenated Congress," admitted a BJP legislator. He said the bypoll defeat had left the BJP workers demoralised and there was need for corrective measures.
There is a strong feeling among the rank and file of the BJP that lack of coordination between the party and the government was one of the reasons for poor governance which too added to the woes of the BJP in the byelections.
"Sympathy factor in the name of Virbhadra Singh worked in a big way for the Congress, especially in the three tribal segments of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Bharmour, besides some parts of Kullu, including Anni," admitted the Chief Minister.
He denied that the sympathy factor would yet again give benefit to the Congress in the 2022 Assembly polls.
Courtesy: Tribune News Service