Jinx broken, Mandi gets its due in state politics

Shimla: The second largest district in Himachal, Mandi, finally got its due share in the state's electoral politics with Jai Ram Thakur becoming first MLA from the area to be appointed as the chief minister. What's more, he is not only the first chief minister from Mandi district but also from the Mandi parliamentary constituency having 17 assembly seats in the districts of Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Bharmaur (Chamba).
Mandi district has 10 assembly seats, second only to Kangra's 15, but the CM post eluded it since 1952. It was, however, not for the lack of efforts by local politicians. In the past, three leaders from the district, interestingly all from the Congress, had managed to almost grab the top post. From the Congress, Karam Singh Thakur, Sukh Ram and Kaul Singh Thakur had all staked claims to the CM chair but were pulled back by their own partymen. BJP's win and its CM face Prem Kumar Dhumal, paved way for five-time MLA from Seraj Jai Ram's breaking the jinx.

Though Jai Ram's name was being discussed for the post ever since results started pouring in, there were apprehensions whether he will be make the cut till BJP's central observers Nirmala Sitharam and Narender Tomar announced him name in the presence of all the newly-elected MLAs, MPs from state, besides former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal and Union health minister J P Nadda at Hotel Peterhoff Shimla on Sunday afternoon.

In 1962, Congress MLA from the same constituency of Seraj, Karam Singh Thakur, was the main contender for chief ministerial post. However, he could not succeed due to lack of support from other party leaders including Sukh Ram. At that time Dr Y S Parmar from Sirmaur became the chief minister.

Later when in 1993, Sukh Ram emerged as the front runner for the chief ministerial post, he could not succeed as other party leaders from Mandi district, including Kaul Singh Thakur did not support him. At that time Virbhadra Singh grabbed the post.

After the Congress won the 2012 assembly elections and Kaul Singh Thakur staked claim for the chief ministerial post, he too failed as majority MLAs, including those from Mandi district, supported the candidature of Virbhadra Singh.

This time BJP high command during election campaign itself had made it clear that Jai Ram is going to play important role in the government. While addressing election rally at Thunag in Seraj assembly constituency, BJP's national president Amit Shah had announced important role for him in the new government.

At that time it was being assumed that Thakur will become the deputy chief minister but now he has become the chief minister elating BJP supporters not only in Seraj constituency but in entire Mandi parliamentary seat.