lok-sabha-elections

Updated: Mar 25, 2019 15:04 IST

One of the founder members of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Himachal Pradesh and sitting MP from the politically significant Kangra parliamentary seat, Shanta Kumar has finally hung his boots.

His exit marks the end of an era in the BJP and in state politics. Starting his career as a ward panch, Shanta Kumar went on to become the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh and a union minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

The veteran leader in a candid talk with HT’s Naresh K Thakur opens up about his future plans and how he sees politics in the region shape up without him.

Why did you quit electoral politics suddenly?

It was not sudden. I had decided to quit electoral politics five years ago but then party chief Rajnath Singh convinced me to contest stating it was an important election that would shape the future of the party and the country. This time too, I had expressed my wish not to the contest election but was told to wait. Finally, when the party decided that senior leaders of my age should not contest, I was more than happy. I am a soldier of the BJP and whatever I have achieved in life is due to the party. Whenever the party asked me I contested election. I never went to the party as a seeker.

How will Himachal politics be without Shanta Kumar?

See! Politics in Kangra or in Himachal is not due to Shanta Kumar. It is due to the BJP. I have only quit electoral politics and not alienated myself from all political activities. Ye Mahfil Chalti Rahegi, log badlte rahenge (Party will go on, faces will keep changing).

Will we see you campaigning in this election?

Definitely. This election is crucial for the country more than the previous election. I will campaign for the party candidates not only in Kangra or Himachal but throughout the country, wherever I am needed.

What are the prospect of the BJP in this election?

The future is bright for the party. We will score an emphatic win in the Lok Sabha election and form a majority government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narender Modi. In Himachal too, we will win all the four Lok Sabha seats with a margin more than the last election.

What are your future plans?

Since, I have quit the electoral politics, I will now dedicate time to Vivekananda Medical Research Trust (VMRT). We have started a new project “Senior Citizen Home” worth ₹11 crore under the aegis of the trust. Apart from it, I would complete my autobiography which I started writing a few years back but was delayed due to political engagements.