Nadda's induction in Union Cabinet setback for Dhumal group

While the induction of J P Nadda in the Narendra Modi Cabinet has enthused his supporters, it has come as a "disappointment" for P K Dhumal group, which had been hoping for inclusion of Dhumal's son and BJYM president Anurag Thakur in the ministry.
Former chief minister Dhumal had emerged as the undisputed leader of the party in Himachal Pradesh after Nadda quit Dhumal's ministry in 2011 following his appointment as BJP general secretary.
Nadda's supporters were demoralised after his exit and many leaders rallied behind Dhumal in the aftermath.
Dhumal's supporters were hoping that Anurag Thakur, MP from Hamirpur, would be considered for a berth in the Cabinet.

But with Nadda's induction, the message is clear that he would matter a lot in state politics and play a key role in strengthening the party which lost power in the 2012 Assembly polls.
Nadda, a grass roots leader, is product of JP movement and had joined the BJP's student wing ABVP as a student and held several important positions in the party's organisations.

He was appointed BJYM president in 1991 and was elected president of Students Central association (SCA) of Himachal University in 1984.
He also remained member of executive council of the university during 1990-92 and was elected to state Assembly from Bilaspur for the first time in 1993.

He was elected leader of BJP group in the Assembly in his first term and was re-elected in 1998 and joined the Dhumal cabinet as Health and Family Welfare Minister.
Despite his defeat in 2003 Assembly polls, he remained active and worked for the party and avenged his defeat in 2007 polls by winning with a huge majority.
He was again inducted as cabinet minister in the Dhumal government but resigned in 2011 after his appointment as BJP general secretary to serve the organisation.
During his term as BJP general secretary, Nadda made a mark for himself and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Himachal in 2012 and was later retained as senior-most general secretary in the new team of Amit Shah.

With the backing of RSS, a clean image and organisational skills, Nadda has found berth in the Union Cabinet and has emerged as rising star with potential to change political equations in the state.