You Don't Have To Shout To Be Heard

Fifty-three-year-old Jai Ram Thakur became the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh practically by default, after P.K. Dhumal, the BJPs chief ministerial face, lost his election last December. Nine months on, the first-time chief minister appears to have gained a grip on governance. Excerpts from an interview with Asit Jolly:

Q. Did you become the chief minister only because Prem Kumar Dhumal lost his election?

The day after Amit Shah announced that Dhumal would be chief minister, he came to my constituency and indicated that the party was considering a leadership change. Citing that I was a four-time MLA, a minister and state party president, he spoke of a ‘bigger responsibility’ for me. While it is true that had he won, Dhumalji would have been chief minister, it was clear that my name was under consideration well before the elections.

Q. But it has taken the party time to get accustomed to you as the leader?

I have risen from the lowest ranks and served diligently at several important positions. It is just that I haven’t projected myself like some other leaders. So I have never had any trouble finding acceptance amid the party cadre.

Q. There is a perception that you don’t trust civil servants and rely on political advisors. Critics point to large-scale transfers by your government.

Transfers invariably happen when governments change. But I have shuffled less than half the number of officers compared with the previous Congress regime. To bring the benefits of development to the lowest levels, you need people you can trust. But I have a good equation with the bureaucracy and try to work as a team. Unlike some people, I don’t believe you need to shout or talk down to subordinates to make yourself heard.

Q. How has your tenure been so far?