'Hydel power, central package are top priorities'

Q&A: Jai Ram Thakur

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What does it mean to lead the party back to power?

This is the first time the BJP is coming to power on its own. In 1977, the Janata Party came to power, in 1990, it was the alliance between the BJP and the Janata Dal and in 1998, we came to power in alliance with Sukh Ram's Himachal Vikas Parishad. Apni sarkar banane me bhi anand hoga aur chalane me bhi (it will be a pleasure to form as well as run our own party's government).

What led to the Congress defeat?

There are a number of reasons, but the key is the direction-less and lacklustre performance of the Congress-led government. Corruption, of the kind never seen before in the state, was the main issue. The other main issue was the rise in the prices of essential commodities.

Another key factor was that the Congress government failed to implement its 2003 campaign promise of providing jobs to the youth.

So was it just the negative vote for the Congress that led to the BJP's return?

No. The BJP has got a positive vote based on its past track record, especially the 1998-2003 stint, when it was able to undertake a massive development campaign.

What are your immediate priorities?

Our priority will be good governance and administration. The organisation will provide full support to the government. We also want our government to relook at decisions taken by the previous Congress government that are anti-people and faulty.

What is on the agenda "� in terms of governance and administration?

The foremost will be to revive the stalled hydel power development in the state. The state can benefit from this immensely. This apart, our government will focus on rural roads and ensuring adequate staffing of schools and hospitals.

We will also press the central government to extend the support package announced for the state by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's administration to 2013 as originally decided. The Congress-led NDA government at the Centre has decided to stop the package three years ahead of schedule.