Forthright in politics, three-time state BhartiyaJanata Party (BJP) chief from Una, Satpal Singh Satti is hopeful of change in the power in Himachal Pradesh in 2017.
Three-time MLA in a row from Una, Satti, who is locked in the poll battle again, finds that corruption and inefficiency of Virbhadra government and radical decisions by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will see the ouster of Congress government in the hill state. In the run-up to HP Assembly poll results on 18 December, Satti opens up on various poll issues in an interview with Sanjeev Kumar in Shimla.
Excerpts:

Q. What were the key issues that dominated 2017 polls in HP?
A. Corruption was one of the main issues, which dominated the electoral debate. The Congress government in state was completely mired with allegations of corruption, inefficiency and its patronage to various mafias including drugs and forest. The worsening law and order, crime against women and growing sense of insecurity among people in Congress rule also weighed high in the minds of people.

Q. What is the impact of demonetization and Goods and Services Tax (GST) as poll issues?
A. The demonetisation is not at all an issue now. The GST also did not have much impact on elections.

Q. What about the debate on price-rise and closure of several small businesses after the implementation of GST?
A. In my opinion, only tax-evaders are crying hoarse over the issue of GST. The GST was much awaited and much needed reform in the country, which would increase transparency and ensure better tax regime in the country. There should be an independent study over how the GST has impacted the business. It should be noted that GST has brought down the prices of many commodities and it has ended over 1100 toll tax barriers which would prove a boon for transporters across the country.

Q. Why BJP did not make GST a poll issue then?
A. It isn’t the case. But the reality is that negative things or criticism sells better than its positive effects. The irony behind the opposition of GST is that the tax reform was initiated way back during the Congress led government at Centre. The new tax regime was prepared in consultation with all the states whether they were Congress ruled or BJP. The Congress led UPA government didn’t implement the decision for the fear of initial backlash. But our Prime Minister NarendraModi wasn’t bogged down by such predictions and implemented it. India needs leaders like Modi to implement harsh decisions like GST which would prove a major economic reform in the country.

Q. What made BJP push the ‘Modi face’ back and declare the CM face in HP in the last leg of campaign?
A. It was our electoral strategy to contest polls on policies of BJP led government in centre and have a CM candidate. It was all part of our plan.

Q. Did Prem Kumar Dhumal’s projection as CM face yield desired results?
A. Yes, it did. Dhumal is a senior BJP leader, who has served the state for long. Such leaders always have a personal connect with people of the state, which appeals to the masses. BJP would reap benefits of the decision by forming government in state with clear majority.

Q. What’s your take on CM Virbhadra Singh versus BJP jibe?
A. Six-time CM, Virbhadra Singh is the tallest leader of Congress, who dominated the government as well as party in last five years. Many senior Congress leaders and ministers were against him and they were seen in direct conflict with him, that too in public domain. The BJP contested polls as a family and unitedly in each election. Given the divided Congress scenario, Singh was obviously at the centre of poll battle in Himachal.

Q. What about Modi government’s impact in HP?
A. The people of state are positive and happy over BJP rule in centre and the policies of PM Modi. Modi has launched various schemes and policies for welfare of common man of the country.
The BJP government has allocated various important projects to Himachal including AIIMS, railway lines expansion and various road projects worth crores of rupees. However, the inefficient and corrupt Congress government failed to implement the projects and schemes, thus, depriving the people of state of their benefits.