Shimla April, 6; Making his electoral debut after the demise of his father ID Dhiman, a BJP stalwart who represented Bhoranj for six consecutive terms, Anil Dhiman, although a government employee till recently, looks at ease in his new role as a budding politician. Dhiman (54), who resigned from the Health Department last year before the demise of his father on November 15, 2016, was prepared to take on the political mantle of his father who was at the helm for 27 years. “My father remained a teacher all his life and I will remain a doctor all my life, irrespective of the outcome of this by-election,” he says as invariably he attends to patients before embarking on his campaign every morning from his home in Bhoranj.
Dhiman leaves home by eight and addresses small gathering at a house in every village till about nine. “Shower the same love, affection and support on me that you gave to my father. I assure you that I will maintain the family bond my father had with every voter of Bhoranj,” he says, striking an emotional chord. The villagers in Gadru respond by stating that he need not worry as every village is indebted to his father. “I have no doubt about your support but one must not forget a by-election is fought between a candidate and the government,” he reminds people.He makes it a point to say that the biggest strength of Dhiman, a six time MLA and two-time Education Minister in the BJP regime led by Dhumal, was the people of Bhoranj. “It was due to his relentless and selfless service that today Bhoranj has the highest road density in Asia, a private university, three ITIs, 21 senior secondary schools and health institutions,” he says talking about the development undertaken during his father’s term.He reminds people that it was the excellent rapport between the “Guru-Chela” (Dhiman-Dhumal) which ensured that Bhoranj remained “Congress-mukt” for the last 27 years. “All those who come to you with lofty promises talk of parivarvaad but I say this is sanskar which I will follow to live up to your expectations,” says Dhiman countering Congress charges of privarvaad.He is joined by sitting BJP MLA and former Minister Jai Ram Thakur at Behdvi Jattan village in Bhakera panchayat.
“We are confident that the people of Bhoranj will repose faith in the BJP but it should not be a routine victory but a resounding one which should set the stage for return of BJP to power in the Assembly elections,” exhorts Thakur.
News Source Tribune India
