Whichever party comes to power in a fairly compact state like Himachal Pradesh, how much difference does it make to the people? You can hear this question in most places, highlighting the public apathy and indifference to the elections. “They are only different brand names; the generic medicines remain the same. The political parties in the whole country and the individual leaders work mostly for themselves and their families and friends. Whatever little they do for the public is do only because otherwise they do not get votes and cannot survive”. Rightly or wrongly, this pessimism is wide- spread amongst the people — to whom The Statesman team has spoken.

The redeeming feature is, a few of the leaders and other functionaries in all the parties in the state are acknowledged “as good persons doing a lot of good work”. This comment too has to be placed against an individual’s political connections.

The criticism often heard against the Congress government is that a few “favoured officials” have got around the ageing Chief Minister and call the shots — and even misinform him. The BJP has nick-named them as “tired and retired officials” because a few of them were reappointed and are continuing with extensions granted by the government.

The BJP on its part (when in power) is widely perceived as making appointments, giving jobs and “granting favours” only on the recommendations of its extended arms like RSS, ABVP etc. A popular feeling is that these organisations (from the district level upwards) verify the antecedents of the candidates and recommend only after being satisfied about their loyalties to the party.

There are reports of inter-party matrimonial ties “to be on the safe side”. If the girl’s side has a strong BJP connection and the boy’s side has strong Congress affiliations, it makes a perfect setting for any “guaad” (fitment). Whichever party comes to power, such families enjoy an advantage over others!

As a result, merit often takes the back seat, hampering the quality of services in the state. When a peon or a teacher or some other functionary is appointed mainly on the political basis, he flaunts his connections, feels protected and his higher officials have to think twice before taking action against him. Alternatively, some higher officials try to “utilize” such people for their own advantage.

Such a totally politicised atmosphere in the state is probably one of the major causes for the rather slow development and poor quality in various sectors such as health, education etc.

These days, many people have already started building bridges with “influential functionaries in both BJP and Congress”. A contractor confided to The Statesman that it would make only some difference to his business if “the other party” comes to power because of his “close connections” with a contractor of that side. They share their “load” regularly, irrespective of political differences.

The coming Diwali is again a great opportunity for strengthening ties with both the parties and their “obliging” leaders – and also build bridges quietly with the “other party”. No wonder, some gifts by the ambitious functionaries will be passed after the Sun goes down (with their vehicles parked away from the rival party leaders’ houses) – while gifts to “our” party leaders will be passed openly. Even feet-touching with pretended reverence has gone viral – in all public places like The Mall. Affectionate smiles and warm hugs and hand- shakes by political worthies (in place of indifferent gestures) are there for all to see. “Aap ka ashirwad chahiye” is the most commonly heard murmur, as the campaign drama has just begun in the state.