HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 117 : Model Answer

Question : Discuss the various features of politics in Himachal Pradesh.  (8 Marks, 120 words)

Answer: 

In Himachal Pradesh regionalism and caste sytem plays an important rule. There are various other features which shaped the politics of himachal Pradesh.

Features: 

• Role of Religion, Caste and Communities: The role of religion, caste and communities have been resorted to for support mobilization. However, all factors cannot be taken as decisive elements in Himachal politics. As Himachal Pradesh has one domination religion so therefore religious cards are not used by parties on large scale. However, we have seen domination of caste politics in Himachal Pradesh where each party try to balance caste dynamics during elections. Now popularity of leader and issues of governance, development, and livelihood have taken front seat in elections. Also, government employees’ associations and worker’s associations cannot be ignored by any political party.
• Few Powerful Leaders: On the issue of the selection of candidates for elections there was hardly any relation between the criteria developed in the organizational deliberations and the actual bases on which the candidates were selected. Loyalty invariably meant unconditional submission to the leader. Again, considerations of the caste composition of the constituency weighed heavily in fixing of the rival groups which had been to secure party tickets to its own supporters irrespective of their public image, work in the party, commitment to the party principles or the ability of the person concerned.
• Domination of few families in politics: The leaders of the party who enjoyed powers of allotting the party tickets have always acted on the presumption that the party label is for anyone to be successful in elections. Because of this the aspirants engaged themselves fully in carrying favour with the leaders rather than in attending to the problem of the constituency. Another noteworthy feature has been that in majority of the constituencies political power became the privilege of a few persons or members of a few families only. The system was deliberately perpetuated to such an extent that it was difficult for anyone else in the constituency to aspire for higher position to play a purposeful role.
• Domination of High Caste: In Himachal Pradesh politics so far, members of high castes have dominated the state politics. There is a growing feeling among the low caste people to free themselves from the dominance of these leaders and acquire political power.
• Importance of independent members in Legislature: From time-to-time independent members of the state Assembly have played an important role. The presence of such a large number of independents in the Assembly suggests that traditional influences like personal position, caste, religion and wealth still play an important role in body politics. In 1967 elections there were 16 independent MLAs.  In 1998 elections, independent MLA Ramesh Dhawala helped in formation of BJP government.
• Feeling of Regionalism: The feeling of regionalism has greatly dominated the state politics. While Congress has its hold in the upper areas, the lower areas of the state form the support base of the Bharitya Janta Party. The study of Himachal polities supports the hypothesis that, in the context of manifest regionalism electoral politics far from helping the process of political integration at the state and national level, only strengthens parochial forces thus hampering political development’.
• Factionalism: Politics in Himachal Pradesh is not free from factionalism. In fact since the beginning of politics in the state certain leaders encouraged factionalism which was weaved around their magnetic personalities. These factions have claimed that their differences are based on ideology but in reality they do not adhere to any principles scrupulously and frequently, reverse their stands on different issues.
• Domination of Two Parties: Since the 1990s, when this paradigm shift was thrust upon the state, no party i.e., the BJP or Congress, has been able to win the elections for two consecutive terms. There have been alternate governments either led by Congress or the BJP. Primarily, because with a continued period of intervention, a political consciousness is developed among the people. Factionalism in between the Congress and stronghold of RSS are responsible for the shift from one party domination to two party domination.